On a map with a scale of 1:50,000, the straight line distance between two cities is 6 cm. What is the actual distance between the cities in kilometres?

Step-by-step solution

1. Determine the scale factor: 1 cm on map = 50,000 cm in reality.
2. Multiply map distance by scale factor: $6\text{ cm}\times 50,000=300,000\text{ cm}$.
3. Convert centimetres to kilometres: $300,000\text{ cm}=3,000\text{ m}=3\text{ km}$.
4. Thus the real distance is 3 kilometres.

Concept tested: Map scale conversion

Published 7 October 2026 · How this solution was prepared and checked