Question

Difficulty: Very hardMap Scale Conversion and Distance Calculation

A proposed power transmission line measures 14.4 cm14.4\text{ cm} on Map X, which is drawn to a Representative Fraction (RF) scale of 1:250,0001 : 250,000. The same power line is subsequently transferred to Map Y, where its total path is measured across two contiguous sections: a straight stretch of 8.0 cm8.0\text{ cm} and a curved section of 10.0 cm10.0\text{ cm}. What is the denominator of the Representative Fraction (RF) scale of Map Y?

Answer: 200000

Answer

The denominator of the Representative Fraction (RF) scale of Map Y is 200,000 (representing a scale of 1:200,0001 : 200,000).
Because ground distance remains constant, the actual distance is 14.4 cm×250,000=3,600,000 cm14.4\text{ cm} \times 250,000 = 3,600,000\text{ cm}. On Map Y, the total route length is 8.0 cm+10.0 cm=18.0 cm8.0\text{ cm} + 10.0\text{ cm} = 18.0\text{ cm}. Dividing 3,600,000 cm3,600,000\text{ cm} by 18.0 cm18.0\text{ cm} gives a scale denominator of 200,000200,000, which corresponds to a scale of 1:200,0001 : 200,000.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the actual ground distance using the length on Map X and its scale
Ground distance = 14.4 cm×250,000=3,600,000 cm14.4\text{ cm} \times 250,000 = 3,600,000\text{ cm} (or 36 km36\text{ km})
Map scale defines the relationship between map distance and ground distance: Ground distance=Map distance×Scale denominator\text{Ground distance} = \text{Map distance} \times \text{Scale denominator}.
2
Determine the total measured length of the route on Map Y
Total distance on Map Y = 8.0 cm+10.0 cm=18.0 cm8.0\text{ cm} + 10.0\text{ cm} = 18.0\text{ cm}
The entire feature consists of two contiguous sections that must be added together.
3
Calculate the RF scale denominator of Map Y
RF denominator = 3,600,000 cm18.0 cm=200,000\frac{3,600,000\text{ cm}}{18.0\text{ cm}} = 200,000
The scale denominator is the ratio of ground distance to map distance when both are expressed in the same unit.

Key Concept

Ground distance conservation across maps of differing scales and multi-segment scale denominator calculation.
Estimated Time:2m 30s
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