6. 1:50 000
• This is a mathematical way
of expressing the scale
• Only numbers are used and it refers to
the same unit of measurement
Numerator
• The numerator is always 1
& represents the map
Ratio Scale
Denominator
• The denominator is always bigger
& represents the ground
7. map distance in cm ground distance equivalent i.e. 50 000
100 000
E.g. 3,7 cm on the
topographic map
3,7 x 50 000
100 000
= 1,85 km
• To convert cm to km you must divide by 100 000 (1km
= 100 000 cm)
• Converting distance on the 1:50 000
topographic map:
x
1:10 000
orthophoto map
10 000
Converting cm to km
18,5 x 10 000
100 000
= 1,85km
E.g. 18,5 cm on the
orthophoto map
18. What is gradient?
It is the relationship between:
• how high you have climbed, and
• how far you have walked on a horizontal plane
Gradient is expressed as a ratio:
Vertical distance : Horizontal distance
Slopes are not perfectly even, so it is more correct
to refer to the average gradient.
Gradient (1)