Draw a linear scale

Question

Draw a linear scale of R F 1:5000000 and read distance in miles and yards

Answer 1

Hi Ayati,

Here's How to Create and Use a Linear Scale for 1:5,000,000 RF

Step 1: Understand the Representative Fraction (RF)

1:5,000,000 means:

1. 1 unit on map = 5,000,000 units in reality
2. For 1 cm on map → 5,000,000 cm (50 km) in real life

Step 2: Construct the Linear Scale

Materials Needed: Ruler, paper, pencil

1. Primary Scale (km):
2. Draw 10 cm line → represents 500 km (10 × 50 km)
3. Divide into 5 equal parts → each 2 cm = 100 km
4. Secondary Scale (miles/yards):
5. Convert 500 km → 310.7 miles (1 km = 0.6214 miles)
6. Mark major divisions at 100 mile intervals
7. Add yards: 1 mile = 1,760 yards → show 440 yd (¼ mile) subdivisions

Step 3: Sample Measurement

To measure 225 miles:

1. Find 200 mile mark
2. Add 25 miles (≈ 40.2 km → 0.8 cm on your scale)

Visual Example:

Copy

Download

[0]-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|[310.7 miles]

0 100 200 300 400 500 km

Why This Matters for You:

1. Essential for accurate map interpretation
2. Core skill for geography/cartography careers
3. Often tested in standardized exams

Common Mistakes I Help Students Avoid:

1. Incorrect unit conversions
2. Improper scale subdivision
3. Projection distortions

Free Resource Offer:

Book a session and receive:

✓ Custom printable scale templates

✓ Interactive measurement exercises

✓ Miles/km conversion cheat sheet

Available for online scale-drawing demonstrations!

Best Regards,

Aaron