Question detail

What is the scale of an OS map that is represented as 1:50,000? Explain what this scale means in terms of distance on the ground.

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

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Topic

Cartographic skills

Question

What is the scale of an OS map that is represented as 1:50,000? Explain what this scale means in terms of distance on the ground.

Answer

A scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 unit of measurement on the map (e.g., 1 cm) represents 50,000 of the same units on the ground. This indicates that the map is a relatively large-scale representation, allowing for detailed features to be shown.

Explanation

This question tests the student's understanding of map scales, specifically how to interpret the relationship between map distance and real-world distance. It requires recall of scale concepts and their application to practical scenarios.

Common mistake

Misunderstanding OS Map Scales

Students often confuse the scale of OS maps, thinking that a 1:50,000 scale means the map is larger than a 1:25,000 scale.

Remember that a smaller denominator in the scale (like 1:25,000) means a larger area is represented in the same space, making it more detailed than a 1:50,000 scale.

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