if a map scale distance is 2cm:15km, what is the actual distance of a map scale that is 6cm? Do I set this problem up like this: 2cm/15km=?/6km and then cross multiply?

no, you mixed up your units

2 cm/15 km = 6 cm/x km
2x cmkm = 90 cmkm
2x = 90
x = 45

or

2 cm ---> 15km
1 cm ----> 7.5 km
6 cm ----> 6(7.5) km or 45 km

Use cm as the main unit to work with here.

Change the km each time.

There are 100,000 cm in a km.

I hope this helps? Good luck!

worksheet 6.3 scale drawing

Yes, you are on the right track! To find the actual distance for a map scale that is 6cm, you can set up a proportion using the given scale distance.

First, let's write down the given scale distance:
2cm : 15km

Now, set up the proportion:
2cm / 15km = 6cm / x

Since the scale distance is in centimeters on both sides, you don't need to convert it. However, the actual distance is in kilometers, so you need to solve for "x" to find the equivalent actual distance in kilometers.

To solve the proportion, you can cross multiply:
2cm * x = 6cm * 15km

Simplifying:
2x = 90km

To isolate "x" (the actual distance), divide both sides of the equation by 2:
x = 90km / 2
x = 45km

Therefore, the actual distance for a map scale that is 6cm is 45 kilometers.