Question

A map uses a scale of 1 inch = 5 miles. If two cities are 3.5 inches apart on the map, how far apart are they in real life?

Answer 1

To find the real-life distance between the two cities, you can use the scale of the map. The scale states that 1 inch on the map represents 5 miles in real life.

If the two cities are 3.5 inches apart on the map, you can calculate the real-life distance as follows:

\[
\text{Real-life distance} = \text{Distance on map} \times \text{Scale factor}
\]

Substituting the values:

\[
\text{Real-life distance} = 3.5 \, \text{inches} \times 5 \, \text{miles/inch}
\]

Calculating this:

\[
\text{Real-life distance} = 17.5 \, \text{miles}
\]

So, the two cities are 17.5 miles apart in real life.