Lecture 4 Map Scale

Lecture
Map Scale
05/23/2022
Definition and uses of scale
• Map is a graphic representation of a portion of the earth's surface drawn
to scale as seen from above, it is important to know what mathematical
scale has been used.
• You must know this to determine ground distances between objects or
locations on the map, the size of the area covered, and how the scale
may affect the amount of detail being shown.
• The scale of a map is the relation between the horizontal distances
measured of the ground and between the same two points measured on
the map.
• The relationship is constant, in whatever direction the distances are
measured.
• The mathematical scale of a map is the ratio or fraction between the
distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the surface of the
earth.
• Scale= Distance on map /Distance on earth’s surface
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What is scale?
• Ratio of the distance between two points

found on a map compared to the actual
distance between these points in the real
world.
• All map scales are an expression of the
numerical relationship between the MAP and
the LAND that is represented. The MAP unit is
always mentioned first.
THE USES OF SCALE:
• What are the functions of scale?

I. Helps map interpreter to calculate distance,
area and computation of other facts.
II. Helps contractors, engineers to design
appropriate plans for bridges, railway lines etc.
III. Helps economists and geographers in
establishing the projects.
IV. Helps map maker to represent a part of the
earth’s surface on a small piece of paper.
V. Helps map makers to draw maps.
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Useful units
• 1 millimetre = 0.1 centimetre or 0.001 metre

• 1 centimetre = 10 millimetres or 0.01 metres
• 1 metre = 100 centimetres or 1000 millimetres
• 1 kilometre = 1000 metres
• 1 hectare = 10 000 square metres or 2.47 acres
• 1 acre = 0.405 hectares
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Scale Representation and Conversion
• There are three types of scales representation

/expression :-
• 1. Statement scale. 2. Representative fraction scale.
3. Scale Bar.
• 1. STATEMENT OF SCALE
• This is the way of expressing the scale by using
words. Example: 1:500,000 or 1cm to 5km.
• This means that one centimeter on the map
represent five kilometers on the actual ground.
• NOTE: Statement scale is written in cm to km.
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Representative fraction scale
• Map scale expresses the size relationship between the
feature shown on a map and the same features on the
earth’s surface.
• Scale is generally expressed as a ratio or fraction such
as 1:10 000 or 1/10 000 and in this form is known as the
Representative Fraction or the RF of a map.
• The numerator of the Representative Fraction (which is
always quoted as 1) represents the map distance, and the
denominator represents the ground distance.
• An RF of 1:100 000 therefore means that the map
distance will be 1/100 000 of that actual ground distance
or that a distance of 1 centimeter on the map will be 100
000 centimeters, or alternatively, 1000 meters or 1
kilometer on the ground.
• Examples….
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Scale Bar or Linear Scale
• A method of measuring ground distances from a map is to
use the scale bar or linear scale that is usually provided
on most maps as illustrated.
• This is a way of expressing the scale by using line divided
into sections and each section represents one centimeter
on the map Bar linear scale is also divided into two parts:
• namely : (i) Secondary division (ii) Primary division
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Scale Bar
II. SECONDARY DIVISION

This is important part of the linear scale which is found at
left hand side of the graph and is shown by using meters.
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Conversion of Scale
• In map reading, one can convert from one scale type to another. For
instance, we can convert from statement scale to Representative
Fraction (R.F.) and vice versa or from linear scale to statement or
RF, and so on. Examples:
• i) Conversion from R.F. to statement scale
• Examples: Convert the following R.F. scales to statement scale:
(a) 1:1000; (b) 1:20,000; (c) 1:150,000
• ii) Conversion from statement scale to R.F.

• Examples: Convert the following statement scales to
Representative Fraction: (a) 1cm to ½ km (b) 4cm to 1km
• iii) Conversion from scale Bar to statement scale
• Example: Convert the linear scale in Fig 12a to statement scale
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iv) Conversion from scale Bar to R.F.
• Example: Convert the scale Bar in Fig. 12b to R.F.
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Conversion
05/23/2022
Summery activities
• If the scale of the map is 1:1000000, what length on the

map represent 20km on the ground
• If the scale of the map is 1:250000, how much ground
distance is represented by 3cm map distance
• What is the RF form of .75cm to 25km
• What is the statement and graphic form of 1: 300,000
• Reduce the above three times
05/23/2022

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Lecture

• Ratio of the distance between two points

• What are the functions of scale?

• 1 millimetre = 0.1 centimetre or 0.001 metre

• There are three types of scales representation

II. SECONDARY DIVISION

• ii) Conversion from statement scale to R.F.

• Example: Convert the scale Bar in Fig. 12b to R.F.

• If the scale of the map is 1:1000000, what length on the

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