Understanding Scales

All scale drawings must have a scale written on

them. Scales are usually expressed as ratios.
Normally for maps and buildings the ratio:
Drawing length: Actual length
For maps the ratio is normally in the ratio:
Map distance: Actual Distance
Example: 1cm : 100cm
The ratio 1cm:100cm means that for every 1cm on the scale
drawing the length will be 100cm in real life
Example: 1:10000
The ratio 1:10000 means that the real distance is 10000
times the length of one unit on the map or drawing.

What are scale drawings?

Scale drawings are everywhere!
Scale
Drawings

On
Maps

Vehicle
design

Footprints of
houses

Can you think of any more?

Scale in everyday life: kitchen design

6cm
Scale 1 cm = 1 m
Length of units = 6 m
5

Scale in everyday life: maps

Scale 1cm : 8km

Scale in everyday life: plans

decking

pool

path

Scale 2 cm = 1 m
7

When objects are too small or too large to be drawn or constructed at actual
size, people use a scale drawing or a model.
The scale drawing of this tree is 1:500
If the height of the tree on paper is 20 cm, what is the height of the tree in real life?

20cm

Map Scales
Map Scales (Legends) are
used to find distances on a
map.
For example, if your map
legend tells you that 1cm
represents 50 km, how
could you find the mileage
for a 2 cm distance on the
map?

Map Scales
Ratios and proportions can be used to find
distances using a scale.

Example:

1 cm = 15 km

The distance from

Jacksonville to Smithtown on
a map is 4 inches.
How
many
1 cm.= 4 cm
miles are between
15 km. n these
The
distance
cities?
1n
60
between the
= n = 60 two cities is