Statement of scale
Also called: Verbal scale · Topic: Maps and Map Scale · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Map Scale"
Meaning
A statement of scale writes the map scale in words, such as "1 cm represents 10 km". It is the simplest method because anyone can read it straight away. But it has two weaknesses. Only people who know that measurement system can understand it. It also becomes wrong if the map is enlarged or reduced, because the words stay the same while the map changes size.
Example
A Class 6 map says "1 cm = 500 m". If this map is photocopied at double size, 1 cm on the copy now shows only 250 m. But the printed statement still says 500 m, so it is now wrong.
Don't confuse with
- Graphical scale: a bar marked with distances. It stays correct when the map is enlarged or reduced.
- Representative fraction (RF): written as a ratio with no units, such as 1:50,000, so it can be read in any measurement system.
Related concepts
- Map scale
- Graphical scale
- Representative fraction
- Metric system of measurement
- English system of measurement
- Conversion of scale