Find the actual length of a wall on a map with scale 1:25000

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the actual length of a wall based on a map scale of 1:25000, with the wall's length on the map given as 3.2 mm. Participants are discussing the conversion from map measurements to real-world distances.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to set up proportions based on the scale to find the actual length, while others question the accuracy of the conversions and calculations presented. There is also discussion about potential typos in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing corrections and clarifications regarding the calculations. There is acknowledgment of errors in previous posts, and some guidance is offered on how to approach the problem correctly.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies in the conversion factors used, particularly regarding the relationship between mm and meters. There is a focus on ensuring that the calculations align with the scale provided in the problem statement.

tehmatriks
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Homework Statement


The scale on a map is 1:25000. The length of a wall on the map is 3.2 mm. Find the actual length in metres.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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EDIT: Fixed momentary lapse of brain.
Each 1 mm distance on the map represents 25,000 mm (= 25 meters) on the ground. If the length of some feature on the map happened to be 10 mm, you would set up a proportion like this, where x represents the actual length of the feature, in mm.

\frac{1}{25000}=\frac{10}{x}

After solving for x in this equation, convert to meters.
 
Last edited:


Mark44 said:
Each 1 mm distance on the map represents 25,000 mm (= 2.5 meters) on the ground. If the length of some feature on the map happened to be 10 mm, you would set up a proportion like this, where x represents the actual length of the feature, in mm.

\frac{1}{25000}=\frac{10}{x}

After solving for x in this equation, convert to meters.

25,000 x 3.2 = 80,000 x 10-3 = 80 cm
 


Mark44 said:
25,000 mm (= 2.5 meters)
Either a typo or a brain fart, 25m :-p

tehmatriks said:
25,000 x 3.2 = 80,000 x 10-3 = 80 cm
It shouldn't be cm.
25,000 x 3.2 mm = 80,000 mm = 80,000 x 10-3 m = 80 m
 


yea, that was a typo

thanks fellas, I've just gotten to this chapter and the examples always leave out the good stuff, so many thanks.
 


Mentallic said:
Either a typo or a brain fart, 25m :-p
Unfortunately, the latter. It looked odd to me, but I still didn't catch it.
Mentallic said:
It shouldn't be cm.
25,000 x 3.2 mm = 80,000 mm = 80,000 x 10-3 m = 80 m
 

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