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.
Explore this idea with maths tools
Maths you can move
Build 8 + 5
Tap two gold counters to fill the ten-frame.
8 in the frame + 5 waiting. The total stays the same.
Words to know
- scale
- how far one square on the map is in real life
- distance
- how far it is from one place to another
Worked examples
A path is 6 squares long and 1 square = 50 m. How long is it in real life?
- 1.Count the squares: 6.
- 2.6 × 50 = 300.
= 300
A path goes 4 squares across and 2 squares down. 1 square = 100 m. How long is it?
- 1.4 + 2 = 6 squares altogether.
- 2.6 × 100 = 600.
= 600
A path 5 squares long is 250 m in real life. How far is one square?
- 1.Share 250 m between 5 squares.
- 2.250 ÷ 5 = 50.
= 50
For parents
Method: Use a real map with a grid and work out how far places are.
What to say: How many squares long is the path? How far is each square in real life?
Common mistakes:
- Gives the number of squares on the map instead of the real distance.
- Counts the squares the two places sit in as well as the steps between them (one square too many).
- Counts only one part of a path that turns a corner.
- Adds the number of squares and the scale (or subtracts) instead of multiplying (or dividing).