How to Calculate Map Distances
The relative distance between two points on a map is the same as the relative distance between two points in the real world. Maps show the scale to which they are drawn, such as "one inch equals five miles." You can use a map's scale to calculate both straight-line map distances and map driving distances.
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Instructions
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Find and note the scale information on your map. Scale information is usually located at the edge of a map or in the border around a map so that it is easy to find. Locate two points on the map between which you want to calculate the distance. For illustration, the two points will be called A and B.
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2
Use a ruler to measure straight-line map distances. Place the zero mark on the ruler at point A and the edge of the ruler with inch measurements at point B, and note the distance between them. For example, point A might be 3 inches from point B.
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3
Convert the distance in inches to distance in miles using the map's scale information. For example, if your ruler shows 3 inches from point A to point B, and your map's scale shows that 1 inch equals 5 miles, the straight-line map distance equals 3 times 5 miles, or 15 miles.
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Use a string to measure map driving distances. Place one end of the string at point A on the map. From that point, lay the string along the route you intend to drive, and mark the string where the route ends at point B. Straighten the string and use your ruler to measure the length in inches from the end of the string you placed at point A to the mark you made at point B.
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Convert the distance in inches to distance in miles as before. For example, if the string is 3 1/2 inches from point A to point B, and your map's scale shows that 1 inch equals 5 miles, the map driving distance equals 3 1/2 times 5 miles, or 17 1/2 miles.
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