The scale on a map is 1.5 cm : 1280 m. If the distance between the school and the library on the map is 12 centimeters, what is the actual distance between the buildings?

Answer 1

1.5 cm / 1280 m = 12 cm / x

Since 100 cm = 1 m, we have

1.5 cm / (1280*100 cm) = 12 cm / x

Cross multiply, then

1.5 x = 1280 * 100 * 12 cm = 1,536,000 cm

Divide both sides by 1.5

x = 1,024,000 cm

Convert back to meters using the above equation:

x = 10,240 m or 10.24 km