Maps, Scale & Directions is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Mathematical Literacy CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. A map has a scale of 1:500. What does this mean?
1 unit on the map represents 500 of the same unit in real life
500 units on the map represents 1 unit in real life
The map is exactly 500 times bigger than reality
The map shows only 500 buildings
Answer: 1 unit on the map represents 500 of the same unit in real life — A scale of 1:500 means every 1 unit measured on the map represents 500 of that same unit in the real world.
Medium
2. A map has a scale of 1:500. A distance on the map measures 4 cm. What is the actual real-world distance, in metres? (First calculate in cm, then convert to m.)
Answer: 20 — Actual distance = map distance x scale factor = 4 cm x 500 = 2,000 cm. Convert to metres: 2,000 / 100 = 20 m.
Medium
3. A map has a scale of 1:1000. A distance on the map measures 8 cm. What is the actual real-world distance, in metres?
Answer: 80 — Actual distance = 8 cm x 1000 = 8,000 cm. Convert to metres: 8,000 / 100 = 80 m.
