Scale Drawings and Maps

Warmup

Two cities are 243 miles apart. It takes a train 4 hours to travel between the two cities at a constant speed. A car travels between the two cities at a constant speed of 65 miles per hour.

Explain your reasoning.

Activity #1

Use Scale to Find the Distance Between Two Cities on a Map.

The map that is given in the applet below, provides information about a driver who is traveling at a constant speed on Interstate 90 outside of Chicago. 

• Use the distance tool in the applet below, to determine the distance she traveled from Point A to Point B.

(1.) If she traveled from Point A to Point B in 8 minutes, did she obey the speed limit of 55 miles per hour? Explain your reasoning.

(2.) A traffic helicopter flew directly from Point A to Point B in 8 minutes. Did the helicopter travel faster or slower than the driver? Explain or show your reasoning in the applet.

Activity #2

Use Scale to Find the Distance Between Two Cities on a Map.

Here is a map that shows parts of Texas and Oklahoma.

• Study the map and answer the questions that follow.

(1). About how far is it from Amarillo to Oklahoma City? Explain your reasoning.

(2). Driving at a constant speed of 70 miles per hour, will it be possible to make this trip in 3 hours? Explain how you know.

Activity #3

Find Actual Distances From a Given Scale.

In this activity, you are going to answer a series of questions in the applet below. A question is already given, you will be required to calculate some values. See the instructions below.

• Calculate values for a, b, c, and d.
• Enter the values into the green boxes at the right side. You’ll get an instant feedback about your answers.
• If you need help in conversion, check the Hint box.
• When you are done, click “New Problem” to keep working.

Challenge #1

A cyclist rides at a constant speed of 15 miles per hour. See the graph below.

At this speed, about how long would it take the cyclist to ride from Garden City to Dodge City, Kansas?

Challenge #2

Challenge #3