position · Year 5 · Suggested learning sequence
Map scale on a grid
A map is much smaller than real life. The scale tells you how far one square is in real life, like 1 square = 50 m. Count the squares along the path, counting the steps from one place to the next, not the squares the places sit in. Then multiply by the scale. If the path turns a corner, count both parts. To find the scale, divide the real distance by the number of squares.
Sample questions
On this map each square stands for 100 m. Follow the dashed path from the tent to the pond. How many metres long is the path in real life?
- Count the squares along the path: 3 squares.
- Each square stands for 100 m.
- 3 × 100 = 300, so the path is 300 m long.
Answer: 300
On this map each square stands for 100 m. Follow the dashed path from the school to the tent. How many metres long is the path in real life?
- Count the squares along the path: 7 squares.
- Each square stands for 100 m.
- 7 × 100 = 700, so the path is 700 m long.
Answer: 700
On this map each square stands for 100 m. Follow the dashed path from the school to the park. How many metres long is the path in real life?
- Count the squares along the path: 2 squares.
- Each square stands for 100 m.
- 2 × 100 = 200, so the path is 200 m long.
Answer: 200