Paper 22 Q4IGCSE 0580 May/June 2023

Question

4 The distance from town A to town B on a map is 3.5 cm. The scale on the map is 1 : 250 000. Find the actual distance, in kilometres, from town A to town B.

This question tests your ability to work with map scales to convert between map distances and real-world distances. Understanding scale ratios is essential for solving practical problems involving maps, plans, and models.

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Takeaway

When working with map scales, multiply the map distance by the scale factor, then convert to the required units.

Common Mistakes

Dividing by the scale factor instead of multiplying - this would give 3.5 ÷ 250 000 which is far too small
Forgetting to convert from centimetres to kilometres, giving the answer as 875 000 instead of 8.75

Exam Tip

Always check your final answer makes sense - 8.75 km is a reasonable distance between two towns.

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