The actual distance between two points on the map is 40 kilometers. On the map, the distance between these two points is represented as 5 centimeters.
If the length on the map represents the actual distance, what is the scale factor of the map?
To find the scale factor of the map, we need to determine how many kilometers are represented by one centimeter on the map.
The actual distance between the two points is 40 kilometers, and on the map, this distance is represented as 5 centimeters.
So the scale factor is given by the ratio of the actual distance to the distance on the map:
Scale factor = Actual distance / Distance on the map
Scale factor = 40 kilometers / 5 centimeters
To ensure the units are the same, we need to convert the kilometers to centimeters:
1 kilometer = 100,000 centimeters
Scale factor = (40 kilometers * 100,000 centimeters per kilometer) / 5 centimeters
Scale factor = 800,000 centimeters / 5 centimeters
Therefore, the scale factor of the map is 800,000.