Maps, Scale & Plans is one of 9 topics in the Grade 11 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 1:2000. What does this mean?
1 unit on the map represents 2000 of the same unit in real life
2000 units on the map represents 1 unit in real life
The map is exactly 2000 times bigger than reality
The map shows only 2000 locations
Answer: 1 unit on the map represents 2000 of the same unit in real life — A scale of 1:2000 means every 1 unit measured on the map represents 2000 of that same unit in the real world.
Medium
2. A map has a scale of 1:2000. A distance on the map measures 6 cm. What is the actual real-world distance, in metres?
Answer: 120 — Actual distance = 6 cm x 2000 = 12,000 cm. Convert to metres: 12,000 / 100 = 120 m.
Medium
3. A building plan uses a scale of 1:150. An actual wall is 9 m (900 cm) long. What length, in cm, should be drawn on the plan to represent this wall?
Answer: 6 — Plan distance = actual distance / scale factor = 900 / 150 = 6 cm.
