Question

the scale shows that 4 inches on the map represents an actual distance of 2 miles. oscars tent is at campsite 4a.
a) what number can you multiply each length on the map by to find the actual distance?
b) what is the actual distance from oscars campsite to the general store?

Explanation:

Step1: Find the scale - factor

Given that 4 inches on the map represents 2 miles in actual distance. The scale - factor is the ratio of actual distance to map distance. Let $x$ be the number we multiply map distance by to get actual distance. We know that if 4 inches (map distance) corresponds to 2 miles (actual distance), then for 1 inch on the map, the actual distance is $\frac{2}{4}=0.5$ miles. So we multiply each length on the map by 0.5 to get the actual distance.

Step2: Calculate actual distance from camp to general store

The map distance from the camp (at campsite 4A) to the general store is 3 inches. Using the scale - factor of 0.5, the actual distance $d$ is given by $d = 3\times0.5$.
$d=1.5$ miles

Answer:

1. 0.5
2. 1.5