Map Scales, Direct and Inverse Proportion
On a map, 5 cm represents 2 km. Express the scale of the map in the form 1 : n.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 1 : 40 000
- 2 km = 200 000 cm
- 5 : 200 000 = 1 : 40 000
A map is drawn to a scale of 1 : 60 000. The distance between two schools on the map is 7.5 cm. Find the actual distance between the schools, in kilometres.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 4.5 km
- 7.5 × 60 000 = 450 000 cm
- 450 000 cm = 4.5 km
A map has a scale of 1 : 150 000. The actual distance between two towns is 18 km. Find the distance between the towns on the map.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 12 cm
- 1 cm represents 150 000 cm = 1.5 km
- 18 ÷ 1.5 = 12 cm
It is given that y is directly proportional to x, and that y = 21 when x = 6. Find the value of y when x = 10.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 35
- y = kx, so 21 = 6k and k = 3.5
- y = 3.5x
- When x = 10, y = 3.5 × 10 = 35
It is given that y is inversely proportional to x, and that y = 9 when x = 4. Find the value of x when y = 12.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 3
- y = k/x, so 9 = k/4 and k = 36
- xy = 36
- When y = 12, x = 36 ÷ 12 = 3
A stall sells 4 bottles of juice for $5.60 and 10 bottles of the same juice for $13.50. Is the cost directly proportional to the number of bottles bought? Justify your answer.
Show the answer and working
Answer: No. The cost per bottle is not the same.
- Cost of 1 bottle: $5.60 ÷ 4 = $1.40
- Cost of 1 bottle: $13.50 ÷ 10 = $1.35
- The cost per bottle is not the same, so the cost is not directly proportional to the number of bottles.
It takes 6 cleaners 15 hours to clean an exhibition hall. How many hours would 9 cleaners take to clean the same hall, if they all work at the same rate?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 10 hours
- 6 × 15 = 90 cleaner-hours
- 90 ÷ 9 = 10 hours
It is given that y is inversely proportional to x^2, and that y = 6 when x = 4. Find the value of y when x = 3.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 32/3 = 10 2/3
- y = k/x^2, so 6 = k/16 and k = 96
- When x = 3, y = 96/9 = 32/3 = 10 2/3
On a map, 6 cm represents 1.5 km. (a) Express the scale of the map in the form 1 : n. (b) The distance between two bus interchanges is 4.2 km. Find the distance between them on the map. (c) A canal is 9.4 cm long on the map. Find its actual length in kilometres.
Show the answer and working
Answer: (a) 1 : 25 000 (b) 16.8 cm (c) 2.35 km
- (a) 1.5 km = 1.5 × 100 000 = 150 000 cm
- 6 : 150 000 = 1 : 25 000 (divide both by 6)
- (b) 1 cm represents 25 000 cm = 0.25 km
- Map distance = 4.2 ÷ 0.25 = 16.8 cm
- (c) Actual length = 9.4 × 0.25 = 2.35 km
A map has a scale of 1 : 80 000. Find the actual distance, in kilometres, represented by 5.5 cm on the map.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 4.4 km
- 5.5 × 80 000 = 440 000 cm
- 440 000 cm = 4.4 km
On a map, 2 cm^2 represents 18 km^2. Express the scale of the map in the form 1 : n.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 1 : 300 000
- 1 cm^2 represents 18 ÷ 2 = 9 km^2
- 1 cm represents sqrt(9) = 3 km = 300 000 cm
- The scale is 1 : 300 000
A model of a building is made to a scale of 1 : 200. The roof of the model has an area of 150 cm^2. Find the actual area of the roof in m^2.
Show the answer and working
Answer: 600 m^2
- 1 cm represents 200 cm = 2 m, so 1 cm^2 represents 4 m^2
- Actual area = 150 × 4 = 600 m^2
The full Secondary 2 Maths book
The book has 11 chapters, 247 questions and 391 A4 pages. Each chapter has notes, practice and answers with the working, and the book ends with a practice examination and its mark scheme. It is a PDF you print at home, S$15.
Buy this bookDownload the free sample (PDF)
Want a tutor to go through these with your child? See Secondary 2 Maths tuition.
More for this level
- Secondary 2 Maths tuitionA home tutor to go through the book with your child
- All ten Maths assessment booksEvery level from Primary 3 to Secondary 4
- How to choose a Maths assessment bookWhat to check before you buy any book
- Best secondary Maths assessment booksOur book beside the other books parents ask about
These questions are our own practice material, not issued by MOE or any school. If you find a mistake, tell us and we will fix it.
