Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisMediumDistance on a map from a scale
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question
A map's scale states that 15 centimetres on the map represent 20 kilometres. Two villages are 12 centimetres apart on the map. How many kilometres apart are they?
Answer: 16
Each centimetre represents 20/15 = 4/3 km, so 12 cm represents 12 × 4/3 = 16 km.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 9
- 9 converts the wrong way: 12 × 15/20 gives centimetres for a 12 km distance.
- If you answered 17
- 17 adds 5 to 12 (20 − 15); the relationship is proportional, not additive.
- If you answered 25
- 25 comes from adding the differences (20 − 15) + 20, not a proportion.
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