Mapping to Scale

All maps are created equivalent NOT equal

Small / Large scaled maps

Small scale maps have SMALL amounts of detail. (Map of the world)

Large scale maps have LARGE amounts of detail. (Map of Merivale Rd and Viewmount Dr)

Large scale | Small Scale

How to calculate scale

Direct Statement Scale– Describes the relationship between a distance on

a map and a specific distance on the earth’s surface

– E.G. If you measure a distance of 1 cm on a map, the actual distance is 10 km.

If 1cm=10km Then (3 x 1)km = (3 x 10)km Therefore, the actual distance between the two points is

30 km.

Line Scale

See Text page 44

Representative Fraction Scale

Centimetres in Canada Inches in the U.S.A.

1: 50,000 1cm on the map represents 50,000 cm

Converting R.F. scale into a direct statement scale

Divide the denominator by 100,000 to change centimetres into kilometres– IF 1cm = 50 000 cm– 1cm = (50 000 / 100 000) km– 1 cm = 0.5 km or 1cm to 500m

Converting direct statement scale to R.F. scale

Multiply the denominator by 100,000 to change centimetres into kilometres– IF 1cm = 2.5 km– 1 cm = (2.5 * 100 000) cm– 1 cm = 250 000 cm or 1:250 000