Question

On a map, 1 inch equals 10.4 miles. if two cities are 1.5 inches apart on the map, how far are they actually apart?

Answer 1

The ratio between the map and the real distance is given at first: 1 inch to 10.4 miles.

If we want to know the real distance that is represented as 1.5 inches in the map, we can use the rule of three:

1 inch --- 10.4 miles

1.5 inches --- x miles

So, we can put an equal sign to get:

`\begin{gathered} (1)/(1.5)=(10.4)/(x) \\ 1\cdot x=1.5\cdot10.4 \\ x=15.6 \end{gathered}`

So, the two cities are 15.6 miles apart.