A map has a scale of 3cm:18km. If Riverside and Smithville are 54 km apart, how far apart are they on the map?

Question

This is from one of my math booklets and I can't seem to figure it out. Can someone please solve this math problem and show work so that I understand? Thank you.

Answer 1

For each 3cm = 18km.

By dividing 54km by 18km = 3 times.

So 3cm times 3 = ?  cm

Another way to do this.

1cm = (18km divided by 3cm) = 6km for 1 cm.

Let's call 1cm and 6km "laps".  

(Like a race car racing 1 lap of 6km)

So, how many (6km) "laps" are in 54 km.

Divide 54km by 6km =9 "laps"  

So if 1cm = 1 lap, and we traveled 9 laps, then 9 laps = ?cm.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's just a simple ratio.

3/18=x/54. Cross multiply to get 18*x=54*3. x is 54*3/18, or 9cm.

Answer 3

it's 9 cm

the ratio is 18:3

so if 54:x=18:3

x=9 cm

Answer 4

It's simple if 3cm is 18km then 54km is 9cm.

Result comes from: 54:18 = 3 and the second step would be 3x3=9 simple is it.

Answer 5

elementary my dear whatzit, 9 cm. 3x 18= 54 ergo 3x3= 9

Answer 6

54km divided by 18km is 3. 3 x 3 cm is 9.....so I'm going to say it's 9 centimeters apart on the map.