With an increase in the denominator of the representative fraction, the scale of the map will:

Detailed Explanation: Understanding Representative Fraction (R.F.)

The scale of a map is defined by its Representative Fraction (R.F.). The R.F. is a ratio that shows the relationship between a distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground. The key principle is the inverse relationship between the denominator of the R.F. and the scale of the map.

R.F. = Map Distance / Ground Distance

When the denominator of this fraction increases, the value of the fraction itself decreases. Since the R.F. value represents the scale, a smaller R.F. value means a smaller scale map.

Practical Example: Comparing Scales

Let's compare two different scales to understand this concept:

1. Scale 1 (Large Scale): R.F. = 1 / 1,000

   Here, the denominator is 1,000. This means 1 cm on the map represents 1,000 cm (or 10 meters) on the ground. This is considered a large scale because it shows a small area with a high level of detail (e.g., a building plan).

2. Scale 2 (Small Scale): R.F. = 1 / 50,000

   Here, the denominator (50,000) is much larger. This means 1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm (or 500 meters) on the ground. This is a small scale because it shows a large area with less detail (e.g., a map of a city).

Key Concepts for Students

• Inverse Relationship: The map scale is inversely proportional to the denominator of the R.F. A bigger denominator means a smaller scale.
• Large Scale Map: Has a smaller denominator (e.g., 1:500). It covers a small ground area but shows more detail.
• Small Scale Map: Has a larger denominator (e.g., 1:250,000). It covers a large ground area but shows less detail.