Directorate: Curriculum FET

SUBJECT and MATHEMATICAL LITERACY GRADE 11

GRADE
TERM 1 WEEK 6
TOPIC SCALE
AIMS OF At the end of this section you will be able to:
LESSONS • Work with number scale and bar scale
• Understand the difference between both the number and bar scale.
• To calculate length and distance when map or plan measurement are given.
• Determine the most appropriate scale in which to draw a map and plan and use
the scale to complete the task.

RESOURCES Paper based resources Digital resources

The Answer series, https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-seventh-
Platinum and other grade-math/cc-7th-geometry/cc-7th-scale-
textbooks drawings/v/scaled-drawings-worked-examples.

https://learn.mindset.africa/resources/maths-
literacy/grade-11/maps-plans-and-other-
representations-physical-world-scale-and-map-
work/01-number-and-bar-scales-0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD5GMtDcHCI

INTRODUCTION Knowledge of scale enables us

• Draw smaller images of large objects
• Draw larger images of very small objects
• Understand more clearly the concept of ratio and proportion
• Most of the topics in grade 11 links well with all the concepts you studied in
grade 10
Previous knowledge:
• Conversions between lengths: km; m; cm; mm
• Measuring skills with a ruler; Calculator skills

CONCEPTS AND Important terminology

SKILLS
A scale drawing represents the true size of an object on paper.

Every measurement of the real object is enlarged or reduced in a specific ratio,

that is called the scale factor.
Types of scales:

1. Bar Scale:

Scale that uses line segments of a certain length to show the scale on the map

2. Number/ Numeric Scale/ratio scale:

Always written in the following format
Map distance : True distance
e.g. 1:100 000
(this means that one unit on the map represents 100 000 units in real life)
Scale therefore compares a length measured and real length in the same units.

3. Line Scale:

Each segment represents a certain distance (in the example the whole line represents 200km)

Examples:
1. The distance between two shops in a town on a map measure 3.5 mm on a
map with a scale of 1: 150 000. What is the distance on the ground in
kilometers?

2. The distance from Stellenbosch to the Paarl is 30km.

What is the distance from Stellenbosch to the Paarl in cm on a map with a
scale of 1:2 000 000?

3. Use the following scale and answer the questions that follow:

a) Use your ruler and measure the line of the scale.

b) Use the information to determine the numerical scale

4. The following scale appears on a map. The distance from point A to point B
on the map measures 13 cm. Determine the distance in real life from point A
to point B.
Solution:
1 Scale 1: 150 000
It means 1 unit on the map represent 150 000 units on the ground
To convert 3,5 mm HINT: To convert mm
= 3,5 mm x 150 000 to kilometer you must
divide by 1000 000
= 525 000 mm ÷ 1000 000
= 0,525 km

2. (a) Scale 1: 02000 000

It means 1 unit on the map represent 2 000 000 units on the ground
So 1cm on the map represents 2 000 000 cm in real life. We need to convert
the 2 000 000 cm to km.
Therefore, we need to first convert the km to cm:
30km ×100 000 = 3 000 000 cm
Now you can use the scale.

Below is a visual representation of how scale (or any ratio) can be used to find a
missing value

Step Four: Step Three:

Find your answer Multiply by
value that has
not been used Step Two:
× Divide by
scale

1 : 2 000 000
÷
Step One:
? : 3 000 000 Convert to
desired unit

This can be written mathematically as follows:

30km ×100 000 ÷2 000 000 ×1 = 1,5 cm
 *** the following answers might vary, depending on the print size of the paper
3.a) 2 cm
b) 2cm is equal to 200 km
2cm : 200km
2 : 20 000 000
1: 10 000 000

4. The scale on the map indicates that 4cm = 120km

13cm ÷ 4cm × 120km = 390 km
ACTIVITIES/ Question 1
ASSESSMENT
Use the map of the Kruger national park to answer the following questions.

1.1 Calculate the distance between Phalaborwa airport and Skukuza airport if the
distance between them is 9,5cm on the map and the scale of the map is
1:500 000.

1.2 The bar scale on the map shows that 2cm is equal to 16km in real life. Use this
information to determine the number scale of this map.

1.3 Explain why your answer in 1.2 might differ from the numerical scale of the
map.

Question 2

1. The lengths of a few iconic statues around the world are indicated in the
picture above. Determine the scale of this picture (rounded to the nearest
whole number) if the statue of Liberty on this picture is 35 mm tall.
2. Why is the rounding of a scale actually inaccurate?
Question 3
1. Mary measures the distance from Durban to Pietermaritzburg as 18cm on a
map. Calculate the true distance from Pietermaritzburg to Durban (in km) if
the scale of the map is 1:500 000
2. The distance from Durban to Harrismith is 295 km. Determine the distance
on the same map in cm.

Question 4
Mr Johnson is building a new flat. The floor plan is shown below.

Use the given scale to determine the length of the wall indicated by the arrow.

Memorandum
Question 1
1. 9,5 cm ÷1 ×500 000 = 4 750 000 cm
4 750 000 ÷100 000 = 4,75 km

2. 2 cm : 16 km
2 : 1 600 000
1 : 800 000

3. Because the map could have been stretched/ shrunk when adding it to the
question which will influence the measurements.

Question 2
1. According to the information 35mm on the picture is equal to 93m in real
life.
35mm: 93m
35 : 93 000
1 : 2 657,1428…
1 : 2 657
 2. When rounding, the scale becomes less accurate because you will not get to
the same answer when using the scale again (e.g. 35mm does not equal
exactly 93m when using the rounded scale in question 1)

Question 3
1. 18 cm × 500 000 = 9 000 000 cm
9000 000 cm ÷100 000 = 90km

2. 295 km ÷500 000 = 0,00059 km

0,00059 km ×100 000 = 59 cm

Question 4
Scale: 3cm: 3m
3: 300
1: 100

So length of wall:
4,8cm ×100 = 480cm
480cm ÷ 100 = 4,8m

OR

3cm :300m
4,8cm :?
4,8 ÷ 3 × 300 = 4,8 m
CONSOLIDATION Remember to supplement activities with activities in your textbook.

Advantages and disadvantages of each scale:

Advantages Disadvantages
• More accurate than bar • Calculations are needed
scale, so lengths and to determine real life
distances will be more lengths and distances
accurate in real life • When a map or plan is
Numeric scale
• Easier to use when a very enlarged/reduced a
small scale is used number scale becomes
• Can be used with any unit inaccurate
and converted easily
• Quick and relatively easy to • Some measurements
use might be less accurate
• You could determine true due to mistakes
lengths without doing • Some calculations
Bar scale
calculations might still be needed.
• When printing a map/plan
the scale enlarges/reduces
with the graphics.
VALUES By mastering the subject content, you will feel more positive about learning and
becoming a lifelong learner.