Question

A scale on a hiking map shows that 1.5 inches represents 4 miles

What number of actual miles are represented by 6 inches on the map

Answer 1

Answer: 24 miles.

Explanation:

1. You must keep on mind that, according the scale on the map, 1.5 inches represents 4 miles. Then, you can set up the following ratio:

`(1.5)/(4)=(6)/(x)`

Where x is the number of actual miles asked

2. You must solve for x, as following:

`(1.5)(x=4*6\\x=(24)/(1.5)\\x=16`

3. Therefore, 6 inches on the map represents 24 miles.

Answer 2

16 miles

Explanation:

You have a proportion which relates inches in the map with miles, in this case 1.5 inches represents 4 miles, and this relation must be fulfilled for any other ratio. So,

`(4 miles)/(1.5 inches) = \frac{\text{any distance in miles}}{\text{any distance in inches}}`

You want to know how many miles are represented by 6 inches. Replacing in formula and solving for x

`(4 miles)/(1.5 inches) = (x)/(6 inches)`

`(4 miles)/(1.5 inches) * 6 inches = x`

`16 miles = x`