Question

The scale on the map says that 1.5 cm represents 40 miles. On the map the distance between Columbia, SC and Atlanta is 7 cm. Which is the correct proportion to use for finding the real distance between the cities?

Answer 1

The real distance between the cities is 186.69 miles.

Explanation:

The scale on the map says that 1.5 cm represents 40 miles.

1.5 cm represents = 40 miles

1 cm represents =
`(40)/(1.5)` = 26.666666 ≈ 26.67

On the map the distance between Columbia, SC and Atlanta is 7 cm.

The real distance between the cities = 26.67 × 7 = 186.69 miles.

The real distance between the cities is 186.69 miles.

Answer 2

The ratio that can be used in the equation is 1.5cm per 40 miles. The proportion that is being asked in this problem assuming that we represent the true distance between the cities by x will be,
7.5/x = 1.5/40
The value of x from the equation is 200 miles.