Which of the following statements in respect of a map A having scale 1:1000 and another map B having scale 1:5000 is true?
🗺️ Understanding Map Scale
The scale of a map is the ratio of a distance on the map to the corresponding distance on the ground. It is often expressed as a Representative Fraction (R.F.).
- Large Scale Map: Has a larger R.F. (a smaller denominator). It covers a small area but shows greater detail (e.g., a city map).
- Small Scale Map: Has a smaller R.F. (a larger denominator). It covers a large area but shows less detail (e.g., a world map).
A map is considered "large" if its R.F. value is larger, and "small" if its R.F. value is smaller.
🔬 Detailed Analysis of the Options
A. Map A is a large scale map compared to map B.
This is the correct answer. To determine which map has a larger scale, we need to compare their Representative Fractions (R.F.).
- Map A's R.F. is 1/1000 = 0.001
- Map B's R.F. is 1/5000 = 0.0002
Since 0.001 is greater than 0.0002, Map A has a larger Representative Fraction and is therefore a larger scale map than Map B.
B. Map B is a large scale map compared to map A.
This is incorrect. As shown above, the R.F. of Map B (0.0002) is smaller than the R.F. of Map A (0.001). Therefore, Map B is a small scale map compared to Map A.
C. Map B is a more detailed map compared to map A.
This is incorrect. A key principle of map scales is that large scale maps show more detail. Since Map A is the large scale map, it would show a smaller area with more detail (e.g., individual buildings, streets). Map B, being a small scale map, would show a larger area with less detail (e.g., only major highways and cities).
📊 Summary: Map A vs. Map B
| Parameter | Map A | Map B |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1:1000 | 1:5000 |
| Representative Fraction (R.F.) | 1/1000 = 0.001 | 1/5000 = 0.0002 |
| Scale Type | Large Scale (Larger R.F.) | Small Scale (Smaller R.F.) |
| Detail Level | More Detailed | Less Detailed |
| Area Covered | Smaller Area | Larger Area |
💡 Study Tips
- Think of Fractions: The scale is a fraction. 1/1000 is a larger piece of a pie than 1/5000. Therefore, 1:1000 is a larger scale.
- Large Scale = Large Detail: Associate a large scale with zooming *in* on a map. When you zoom in, you see more detail over a smaller area.
- Small Scale = Small Detail: Associate a small scale with zooming *out* on a map. When you zoom out, you see less detail over a larger area.