Maps, Scale & Directions is one of 9 topics in the Grade 12 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 ratio scale of 1:50,000. What does this mean?
1 unit of distance on the map represents 50,000 of the same unit in real life
The map covers exactly 50,000 square kilometres of land
There are 50,000 grid squares on the map
The map was drawn 50,000 years ago
Answer: 1 unit of distance on the map represents 50,000 of the same unit in real life — A ratio scale of 1:50,000 means 1 unit of distance measured on the map represents 50,000 of that same unit in the real world.
Medium
2. A map has a scale of 1:50,000. The distance between two towns measured on the map is 3.4 cm. What is the actual real-world distance, in kilometres? (3.4 cm x 50,000 = actual distance in cm; convert to km by dividing by 100,000.)
Answer: 1.7 — Actual distance = 3.4 x 50,000 = 170,000 cm. Converting to km: 170,000 / 100,000 = 1.7 km (since 1 km = 100,000 cm).
Medium
3. A map uses a bar scale where 1 cm represents 2 km. If the distance between two landmarks measured on the map is 5.5 cm, what is the actual distance, in kilometres?
Answer: 11 — Actual distance = measured distance x scale factor = 5.5 x 2 = 11 km.
