Free WACE Geography Flashcard Review

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What does a ratio (representative fraction) scale of 1:25 000 mean?

1 unit on the map represents 25 000 of the same units on the ground, so 1 cm represents 25 000 cm, which is 250 m.

Convert 1:50 000 to a written (statement) scale.

1 cm represents 50 000 cm = 500 m, so "1 cm represents 0.5 km" (or 2 cm represents 1 km).

Three ways of expressing map scale

Ratio (e.g. 1:25 000), written or statement (e.g. 1 cm represents 250 m) and linear (a graduated bar line).

Large-scale versus small-scale map

A large-scale map (e.g. 1:10 000) shows a small area in great detail; a small-scale map (e.g. 1:5 000 000) shows a large area in little detail. The smaller the denominator, the larger the scale.

Two-step conversion from map centimetres to ground kilometres

Multiply the map distance by the scale denominator to get centimetres, divide by 100 for metres, then by 1 000 for kilometres (or divide by 100 000 in one step).

A road measures 9.2 cm on a 1:25 000 map. How long is it?

9.2 x 25 000 = 230 000 cm = 2 300 m = 2.3 km.

Grid square size on Australian 1:25 000 and 1:50 000 topographic maps

Grid lines are 1 000 m apart on both, so each grid square represents 1 km²: 4 cm x 4 cm at 1:25 000 and 2 cm x 2 cm at 1:50 000.

How do you calculate area from a map?

Convert each side to ground distance first, then multiply (or count whole and part grid squares of 1 km²). Never multiply map centimetres and then apply the scale once.

Time, speed, distance formulas

Time = distance / speed; speed = distance / time; distance = speed x time. Convert decimal hours to minutes by multiplying the decimal part by 60.

A 6 km trail walked at 4 km/h takes how long?

6 / 4 = 1.5 hours = 1 hour 30 minutes (not 1 hour 50 minutes).

Measuring a curved distance on a map

Lay string or the edge of a sheet of paper along the route, marking or pivoting at each bend, then measure the straightened length against the linear scale or a ruler and apply the scale.

Converting between a photograph and a map at different scales

Find the real ground distance from the first source, then divide by the second source's scale denominator to find its length on the second source.

Four-figure area reference

Names a whole grid square by the easting then northing of the lines at its south-west (bottom-left) corner, e.g. 4374.

Six-figure grid reference

Pinpoints a feature to the nearest 100 m: easting (two digits plus tenths) then northing (two digits plus tenths), e.g. 433746.

Memory aid for grid reference order

"Along the corridor, then up the stairs": eastings (left to right) first, northings (bottom to top) second.

Alphanumeric grid coordinates

A letter-and-number system (e.g. C4) used on street directories, aerial photographs and sketch maps to identify a square; letters usually run across and numbers down or up.

How latitude and longitude are written

Latitude first, then longitude, in degrees and minutes with the hemisphere, e.g. 31°57′ S 115°51′ E; 60 minutes make one degree.

Which way do latitude values increase on an Australian map?

Southwards, because Australia is in the southern hemisphere; longitude values increase eastwards.

Bearing

The direction of one point from another measured clockwise from north, written as three digits from 000° to 360°, e.g. 045°.

Back bearing

The reverse direction: add 180° if the bearing is less than 180°, subtract 180° if it is more; e.g. the back bearing of 135° is 315°.