The scale on a map is 2 cm : 7km. If two cities are 12 cm apart on the map what is the actual distance in km between the two cities? " this is NOT a homework question" i don't understand any of this!

Use a proportion.

2/7 = 12/x

Cross multiply and solve for x.

2x = 84
x = 42 km

No problem! I can help break it down for you.

To find the actual distance between two cities given a map scale, you'll need to use proportions.

Let's start with the given information: the scale on the map is 2 cm : 7 km. This means that for every 2 centimeters on the map, it represents an actual distance of 7 kilometers.

Now, you're asked to find the actual distance between two cities that are 12 centimeters apart on the map.

To solve this, you'll set up a proportion using the scale. Here's how you do it:

Step 1: Write the proportion using the scale. Let x represent the actual distance in kilometers between the two cities.

2 cm = x km
------- ----------
7 km 12 cm

Step 2: Cross-multiply and solve for x.

Here's how you do it: Multiply the numerator of the first fraction (2 cm) by the denominator of the second fraction (12 cm). Then, multiply the denominator of the first fraction (7 km) by the numerator of the second fraction (x km).

2 cm * x km = 7 km * 12 cm

2x = 84

Step 3: Solve for x by dividing both sides of the equation by 2.

x = 84 / 2

x = 42

Therefore, the actual distance in kilometers between the two cities is 42 km.

So, according to the given map scale of 2 cm : 7 km, if two cities are 12 cm apart on the map, the actual distance between them is 42 km.