Map Scales

Map scale refers to the relationship (or ratio) between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on
the ground.

Map Distance Ground Distance

Scale 

If 1 cm on a map represents 1 km on the ground, the scale of the map is:

Scale  1cm  1

1km  1:100, 000

100, 000

Example

Given scale of a map as 1:50,000 and ground distance as 10 km, calculate the map distance.

Solution

Map Distance Ground Distance

Scale 

∴ Map distance = Ground distance  Scale Suppose the map is being drawn in cm;

1 km = 100,000 cm

∴ Ground distance in cm = 1,000,000 cm

∴ Map distance = 1, 000, 000   20 cm

50, 000

Assignment

1. A road on a map measures 8 cm long. The scale of the map is 25,000. Calculate the actual length of the
road. (4 marks)

2. A racing motorist travelling at 100 kph covers a straight horizontal length of road between two points A
and B in 6 minutes. If the distance between A and B is 5cm on a map, determine the scale of the map.
(6 marks)

Methods of representing scale on a map

1. Representative Fraction (RF) (1:50,000 1/50,000)

Shows a fraction/ratio of the object distance on the map to that on the ground e.g., 1:50,000
or 1 . 1:50,000 means that one unit on the map represents 50,000 units on the ground.

50, 000
Both the numerator and denominator of the RF are usually in the same units.

2. Written statement
Uses a written statement of scale e.g., 1 cm represents 500cm. Notably used on maps using the Imperial
System e.g. Nautical Charts.

The written statement is usually given in addition to R.F. and the Graphical Scale line (Linear Scale).

3. Graphical Scale Line

This is an accurately divided line from which distances taken from the map may be read off as distances on the
ground.

FIGURE 3.10: Examples of graphic or bar scales.

Types of Graphical Scales

The types of scales normally used are:

1. Plain scales.
2. Diagonal Scales.
3. Vernier Scales
1. Plane Scale
A plain scale is simply a line which is divided into a suitable number of equal parts, the first of which is further
sub-divided into smaller parts (Reddy, 2008).

It is used to represent either:

 two units or

 a unit and its fraction such as km and hm, m and dm, cm and mm etc.

2. Diagonal Scale
 Plain scales are used to read lengths in two units such as metres and decimetres, centimetres and
millimetres etc., or to read to the accuracy correct to first decimal.

 Diagonal scales are used to represent either three units of measurements such as metres, decimetres,
centimetres or to read to the accuracy correct to two decimals.
Classification of Mapping Scales

1. Large Scale
 Typically 1:50,000 and larger

 Makes features appear large

 Shows small geographic areas but with greater detail.

 Act as sources for other categories of topographic maps, the so called derived maps – usually
small/medium scale.

2. Medium Scale
 Typically 1:50,000 to 1:250,000 and larger

3. Small Scale
 Typically 1:250,000 and smaller

 Makes features appear small

 Shows large geographic areas but with less detail e.g., less labels.

Factors Influencing Choice of Map Scale

1. Geographical extent
 Small scale is used for large areas and vice versa

2. Map Purpose
 For topographical maps, large scales are used in order to capture as much information as possible.

3. Map content
 More features need to be represented for urban areas when compared to rural areas

 Topographical maps need to show many features that suited to larger scales

4. Map precision
 Refers to where one gets values that are almost accurate to the required one.

5. Availability of data
 Easier to use large scales if sufficient data is available

 Lack of data may force the cartographer to compile at a smaller scale

6. Size of paper
 The paper should be just large enough to ensure legibility at a chosen scale
 7. Finances
 Cost of map making

 Cost of data collection – higher if more data is needed

 Labour

Construction of Graphical Scales

Plottable Error

Refers the smallest distance that can be recorded true to scale on a map, assuming the finest line on the map is
0.25 mm wide.

The plottable accuracy is usually taken as 0· l mm which is equivalent to 2·5 metres at a scale of 1:25 000, 5 cm
at 1: 500 scale, etc.

It is necessary to work within the plottable error when making survey drawings.

Example

If the expected accuracy for plotting is 0.2mm, calculate the magnitude of this accuracy on the ground in metre
at scale 1:50,000 .

Let x be the magnitude of accuracy on the ground: 1 mm = 50,000 mm

0.2 mm = x

∴ x = 50,000 × 0.2 = 10,000 mm = 10 m.

1. Plane Scale Problem 1:

On a survey map the distance between two places 1 km apart is 5 cm. Construct the scale to read 4.6 km.

Solution

5 cm  1

RF 

11000 100 cm 20000

x  51000100 1

If x is the drawing size required

∴ x = 25 cm 20000

Note: If 4.6 km itself were to be taken x = 23 cm. To get 1 km divisions this length has to be divided into 4.6
parts which is difficult. Therefore, the nearest round figure 5 km is considered. When this length is divided into
5 equal parts each part will be 1 km.

1. Draw a line of length 25 cm.

2. Divide this into 5 equal parts. Now each part is 1 km.
 3. Divide the first part into 10 equal divisions. Each division is 0.1 km.
4. Mark on the scale the required distance 4.6 km.

Fig. 3.2 Plain scale

Problem 2:

Construct a scale of 1:50 to read metres and decimetres and long enough to measure 6 m. Mark on it a
distance of 5.5 m.

Construction

1. Obtain the length of the scale as: RF x 6m = 1

50  6100  12 cm

2. Draw a rectangle strip of length 12 cm and width 0.5 cm.

3. Divide the length into 6 equal parts, by geometrical method each part representing 1m.
4. Mark 0 (zero) after the first division and continue 1,2,3 etc., to the right of the scale.
5. Divide the first division into 10 equal parts (secondary divisions), each representing 1 cm.
6. Mark the above division points from right to left.
7. Write the units at the bottom of the scale in their respective positions.
8. Indicate RF at the bottom of the figure.
9. Mark the distance 5.5 m as shown.
Fig. 3.3

Problem 3:

Construct a plain scale of convenient length to measure a distance of 1 cm and mark on it a distance of 0.94
cm.

Solution: (Fig 3.5)

This is a problem of enlarged scale.

1. Take the length of the scale as 10 cm 2. RF = 10/1, scale is 10:1

3. The construction is shown in Fig 3.5

Fig. 3.5

2. Diagonal Scale

Principle of Diagonal Scale (Fig 3.6)

The principle of diagonal scale is to obtain any fractional part of a short line by following the diagonal division
method.

1. Draw a line AB and erect a perpendicular at B.

2. Mark 10 equidistant points (1,2,3, etc) of any suitable length along this perpendicular and mark C.
 3. Complete the rectangle ABCD
4. Draw the diagonal BD.
5. Draw horizontals through the division points to meet BD at l' , 2' , 3' etc. Considering the similar
triangles say BCD and B44'

B4  B4 ;  4  BC  1  4 ; 44  0.4CD

CD BC 10 BC 10

Thus, the lines 1-1',2 - 2', 3 - 3' etc., measure 0.lCD, 0.2CD, 0.3CD etc. respectively. Thus, CD is divided into 1/10
the divisions by the diagonal BD, i.e., each horizontal line is a multiple of 1/10 CD.

Fig. 3.6 Principle of Diagonal Scale

Note: BC must be divided into the same number of parts as there are units of the third dimension in one unit of
the secondary division.

Procedure

1. Find out the R.F., if not given directly.

2. Find out the length of scale
 RF Actual length or Max. length to be measured

3. [Note: If data is not available take the length of scale about 15 cm or 6 inches]
4. Draw a straight line, preferably horizontal, of required length as found in previous step.
5. Divide the line into a number of divisions relating to the length of object and maximum length to be
measured such that one segment represents one major unit.

6. Place mark 0 at the end of 1st main division and mark the other divisions sequentially toward right as
1,2,3….. etc.

7. Divide the 1st main division into a number of divisions such that each of these sub- divisions
represents one 1st sub-unit. For instance if the scale need to measure in
yards, feet and inches, number of horizontal sub-divisions will be 3. On the other hand if the scale is to
measure in decimeter, centimeters and millimeters or in meters, 1/10th of meter and 1/100th of meter number
of horizontal sub-divisions will be 10.

8. Mark the sub-unit sequentially toward left as 1, 2, 3…… etc. or 0.1, 0.2, 0.3……. etc. If space is limited
they can be marked after every 2 division like 0, 2,4,….. etc.

9. Draw a perpendicular of suitable length at the left end and complete the rectangle considering the
two mutually perpendiculars lines as length of two sides.

10. Divide the vertical line at left end into a number of divisions such that each of one sub-division
represents one 2nd sub-unit. For instance if the scale need to measure in yards, feet and inches,
number of vertical sub-divisions will be 12. On the other hand if the scale is to measure in decimeter,
centimeters and millimeters or in meters, 1/10th of meter and 1/100th of meter number of vertical
subdivisions will be 10.

11. At each vertical sub-division point draw a line parallel to the baseline.
12. Draw a diagonal line by joining left-top corner point and the horizontal sub-division point immediately
before the left-bottom corner. At every horizontal sub-division point draw a parallel line to this
diagonal line.

13. Mention the R.F. of the scale below the figure.

14. Mention the name of main unit and sub-units either at below or at the respective ends of the scale.
Problem 5:

On a plan, a line of 22 cm long represents a distance of 440 metres. Draw a diagonal scale for the plan to read
up to a single metre. Measure and mark a distance of 187 m on the scale.

Solution: (Fig 3.7)

Fig. 3.7 Diagonal scale

22  1

1. RF 
440100 2000

2. As 187 m are required consider 200 m.

Therefore, drawing size = R F x actual size = 1

2000  200100  10 cm

When a length of 10 cm representing 200 m is divided into 5 equal parts, each part represents 40 m as marked
in the figure.

3. The first part is sub-divided into 4 divisions so that each division is 10 cm

4. On the diagonal portion 10 divisions are taken to get 1 m.
5. Mark on it 187 m as shown.
Problem 5:

An area of 144 sq cm on a map represents an area of 36 sq km on the field. Find the RF of the scale of the map
and draw a diagonal scale to show Km, hectometres and decametres and to measure up to 10 km. Indicate on
the scale a distance 7 km, 5 hectometres and 6 decametres.

Solution: (Fig. 3.8)

1. 144 sq cm represents 36 sq km or 12 cm represent 6 km

RF= 12  1

61000100 50000

Drawing size x = R F × actual size = 101000 100  20 cm

50000
Fig. 3.8

2. Draw a length of 20 cm and divide it into 10 equal parts. Each part represents 1 km.
3. Divide the first part into 10 equal subdivisions. Each secondary division represents 1 hectometre
4. On the diagonal scale portion take 10 equal divisions so that 1110 of hectometre = 1 decametre is
obtained.

5. Mark on it 7.56 km. as shown.

Problem 7:

Construct a diagonal scale 1/50, showing metres, decimetres and centimetres, to measure up to 5 metres.
Mark a length 4.75 m on it.

Solution: (Fig 3.9)

1. Obtain the length of the scale as 1

50  5100  10 cm

2. Draw a line AB, 10 cm long and divide it into 5 equal parts, each representing 1 m.
 3. Divide the first part into 10 equal parts, to represent decimetres.
4. Choosing any convenient length, draw 10 equidistant parallel lines above AB and complete the
rectangle ABCD.

5. Erect perpendiculars to the line AB, through 0, 1,2,3 etc., to meet the line CD.
6. Join D to 9, the first sub-division from A on the main scale AB, forming the first diagonal.
7. Draw the remaining diagonals, parallel to the first. Thus, each decimetre is divided into 1/10th division
by diagonals.

8. Mark the length 4.75m as shown.

Fig. 3.9

Methods of Scale Change

 Scale change may be necessary if new details are to be added to a map.

 Scale enlargement should be avoided if possible i.e. as far as possible, maps should be compiled from
large scale source materials. This is because any error in the original will be magnified in the
enlargement.

There are four methods of changing scale: graphical, Mechanical, Optical (including photography) and
Automated techniques.
 1. Graphical Techniques
This method requires the least equipment but is very slow and unless care is taken, it has the lowest accuracy
of all. Scale change by the graphical method can be accomplished by using Similar Squares and Triangles or Ray
Method.

a) Using Similar Squares and Triangles

This method is also called the 'Union Jack' and its difference from the grid square method is that it uses
triangles.

Procedure of Dividing Squares and Triangles

i). On a transparent medium, preferably polyester drafting film. a grid square is drawn at the same scale
as those of the up-to-date map.

ii). On another piece of transparent material, a grid square is drawn at the scale of the map to be revised.

iii). Draw diagonals from comer to comer thus dividing the square into four triangles.
iv). Bisect the sides of the grid squares and draw line across thus forming the 'Union Jack'.

v). The square can be divided further as desired.

Now there are two grid squares similarly divided up into a network of triangles. One is at the scale of the up-to-
date map and the other at the scale of the map to be revised.
Procedure of transferring detail from one map/plot to the new scale
 i). The divided grid squares on the on the transparency is laid over the map from which detail is to be
transferred, fitted over the grid square in which the new detail appears.

ii). The divided grid square at the scale of the map is laid under a transparency of the map to be revised
and fitted to the relevant grid square.

iii). Using proportional dividers or eye judgement, the detail can be transferred by noting through which
dividing lines the detail cuts and where it cuts and then plotting those cuts in the same relative
positions within the divided square at the new scale.

This method is fairly slow and should only be used for small amounts of detail.

b) Ray Method
This is a simpler method of reducing or enlarging (not recommended) than the 'Union Jack', but its usefulness
is limited to linear features e.g., rivers etc.

Procedure

i). Select a point adjacent to the road or river (see point A on the diagram); if the feature is curved
generally in one direction, the point selected should be placed on the leeward side of the curve.

ii). Rays are drawn from the selected point to the more obvious bends in the feature.
More rays resulting in a more accurate representation.

The measurement should always be taken from point A whether it is an enlargement or reduction.
iii). If proportional dividers are available, set them to the required ratio and apply them to the distance AB
(in the diagram).
 iv). If a reduction is required, the wider opening side of the dividers will be applied and then reversed and
the distance given by the smaller opening side along ABB'.

v). This procedure is followed until all the rays have been similarly treated. They are then joined.
As this method is usually carried out on the actual map, it is necessary to transfer the result by means of tracing
paper.

2. Mechanical Techniques (PANTOGRAPH)

The pantograph makes use of simple geometric ratios based on the properties of parallel lines to change scale.

It is a system of rigid arms hinged or sliding forming a parallelogram with extensions. At certain points are
mounted a pivot (which doesn't move), a tracing point and a drawing pencil. By adjusting these three settings
for a required scale change, if the tracing point follows a line on the original map, the drawing pencil draws the
same line at the new scale.

There are hinges at A, G, E and B, the points forming the basic parallelogram. The pivot is at A, tracing point at
C and the drawing pencil at F. For a reduction of 3: 4, E, G and F are set at 75 scale units from B. A and G. Since
ratio BE: BC= 75: 100 = 3: 4 and the ratio GAF: GEE= GAF: AB= 75: 100 = 3: 4, it follows from the properties of
parallel lines and similar triangles that AFC is a straight line and the ratio AF:AC is 3:4

Therefore if the tracing point C traces a line 4cm long in any direction the drawing pencil at F will draw a
corresponding line 3cm. long. It doesn't matter how extended the parallelogram is. The ratios remain the same
and AFC is always a straight line. If the tracing point is put at F and the tracing pencil at D, the result will be an
enlargement. Usually, the instrument is provided with a formula for calculating the settings at various
reduction/enlargement ratios.
 3. Photography (OPTICAL)

This method uses a system of lenses and to achieve perfect focus, the Newton lens equation must be fulfilled:

111

u v f

Example: A reduction of 2:5 with a camera of focal length 10 cm.

111

u v 10

Therefore

111

u 10 v

 v 10 10v

10v  u v 10
u  10v

v 10 …………………………………………………………………(I)

But u:v = 2:5 = Reduction required

u/v = 2/5
2u = 5v

u = 5v/2… (II)

Combining (I) and (II)

5v  10v v 10

2
20v = 5v(v − 10) (Divide both sides by 5v) Therefore v = 14

But u = 5v/2 = 514

= 35

Therefore the settings which will give the reduction required and a sharp focus will be u = 35, and v = 14.
This method of scale change is the most accurate out of all the rest.

4. Automated Methods
Map detail is converted to numerical form by an operator using a digitizer as accurately as possible.

A computer carries out calculation to change scale and the result is plotted using an automatic drawing
table.

A big advantage of the system is that once the numerical data is stored, it can be used to produce maps
at any desired scale or projection.