Map Calculations

Map Scale:

1. Fraction / Ratio Scale:

As a fraction, e.g: __1__

50 000
- As a ratio, e.g. 1:50 000

2. Line Scale / Linear Scale

3. Word Scale / Verbal / Statement Scale

A word scale indicates scale by means of a verbal statement such as 1cm on the map
represents 500m on the ground. Here, the scale is given in words.

The scale of the topographical map (1:50 000) is 5 times smaller than that of the
orthophoto map (1:10 000).

The orthophoto map scale is 5 times larger than that of the topographical map.

By how much is the scale of the orthophoto map larger than the topographical map’s?
5 times

The word scale of the orthophoto map is:

• 1 cm represents 100 m.
• 1 cm represents 0,1 km.

Which one, the topographical map or the orthophoto map, has a larger scale?
• Orthophoto map

Give a reason for your answer above.

• Orthophoto map shows more detail
• Smaller area shown on a large piece of paper
• Greater clarity on orthophoto map
• 1:10 000 is a larger scale than 1:50 000
• Features are less reduced

Co-ordinates or grid references:

▪ identifying latitudes and longitudes of places on the map using degrees; minutes;
seconds and direction. E.g 32°56´8"S 27°55´13"E / 32°56,2'S 27°55,2'E.
▪ Give the co-ordinates (fix the position) of the reservoir in block G4.
22°19'15''S 30°03'50''E OR 22°19,3'S 30°03,8'E.

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▪ The feature that is found at 34°05,8′S 24°50,2′E/34°05′48″S 24°50′30″E is …

dam.
▪ The man-made water feature at 33°38′24″S18°52′48″E/33°38,4′S18°52,8′E is a
…dam.
▪ State the spatial data allocated for Harrismith… 29˚00̍S 28˚15̍E
▪ The position of the reservoir in block D9 on the topographical map is …
30°11,6' S 29°33,5'E OR 30°11'36'' S 29°33'30''E

Area

- The formula for area is: area (A) = length (L) × breadth (B)
- Measure the length and breadth on the map with a ruler in centimeter.
- Convert the length distance and breadth distance to the ground distance first,
using the scale of the map.
- Use the formula to calculate the area. The answer for area must be expressed in
square units (m2 , km2)

e.g Calculate the area of the covered by the water tank at Neffens Aan block H13 (in m²)
on the topographical map. Show ALL the calculations.

Area = L x B      
L = 0,4 cm x 50 000 cm L = 0,4 cm × 500 m
= 20 000 cm = 200 m
100 m
= 200 m

B = 0,4 cm x 50 000 OR B = 0,4 × 500 m

= 20 000 cm = 200m
100 m
= 200 m L×B
Area = L 200 m x B 200 m = 200 m × 200 m
= 40 000 m² = 40 000 m2
e.g Block E1 on the topographical map is covered by cultivated land.
Calculate the area of this block in km2. Show ALL calculations.

Area = Length x Breadth

Length= 3,7 cm x 50 000 cm

= 185 000 cm
100 000 cm
= 1,85 km

Breadth= 3,1 cm x 50 000 cm

= 155 000 cm
100 000 cm
= 1,55 km

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Area = L × B
= 1,85 km × 1,55 km
= 2,8675 km2

e.g Calculate the area of the Neffens Aan water tank on the orthophoto map in km2 /
M2. Show ALL your calculations.

Length = 1,6 cm x 0,1      

= 0.16 km = 160 m
Breadth = 1,4 cm x 0,1     

= 0,14 km = 140 m

Area = L × B OR L × B = 160 m × 140 m

= 0.16 x 0,14 km = 22400 m2
= 0,0224 km2

Vertical Exaggeration (VE)

- Is the extent to which the height of features on a cross section have been enlarged
compared with their real height.
- The answer for VE is expressed as a multiple e.g ‘5 times’ or ‘5 ×’
- The formula for Vertical Exeggeration is : (VE) = Vertical Scale (VS)
Horizontal Scale (HS)

- Always multiply the vertical interval by 100 to convert to centimeters,

because 100 cm = 1 m.
- the horizontal scale will vary depending on the map used. For the topographic map it
will be 1:50 000 and for the orthophoto map it will be 1:10 000.

Important of Vertical Exeggeration

- To show hills, mountains and valleys more clearly.
- To allow better vision of physical features.
- Without VE, hill and mountain will look too flat.

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e.g Calculate the vertical exaggeration of the cross-section above. Show ALL the
calculations.

VE = VS
HS

VS = 1 cm represents 20 m = 100 × 20 = 2 000 m = _ 1__ or = 1cm : 2 000 cm or 1/2 000

2 000

HS = 1 cm : 50000 cm = __1__ or =1cm : 50 000 cm or 1/50 000

50 000

VE = VS
HS

1
= 2 000
1
50 000

= __1 _ x 50 000 (simplify)

2 000 1

= 25 times

e.g Calculate the vertical exaggeration given the vertical scale of 1 cm to represent
80 m on the orthophoto map. Show ALL your calculations.

vertical scale
Vertical exaggeration = ________________
horizontal scale

VS = 100 × 80 = 1: 8000

HS= 1:10 000

1
= 8000
1
10 000

1 10 000
= 8000 × 1

10 000
= 8000

= 1,25 times

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e.g Calculate vertical exaggeration on the figure above.

Gradient

- Is the measure of the steepness of the slope.

- The answer of gradient is expressed as a ratio. E.g 1: 100
- Always express vertical distance or the height difference in meters (m).
- The formula for calculating gradient is:

Gradient = VI Height H Vertical Interval/Rise

HE OR Distance OR V OR Horizontal Equivalent/Distance

= (Vertical Distance) or (VD)

(Horizontal Distance) (HD)

e.g Calculate the average gradient between ·1456 (A9) and ·1252 (A10).

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e.g Calculate the average gradient on the topographical map between trigonometrical
station no 196 (G5) and spot height 146 in block H5. Show ALL the calculations.

VI = 177.1 m - 146 m = 31.1 m

HE = 3,8 cm x 0,5 km = 3,8 cm x 500 m

= 1.9 km x 1000m OR = 1900 m
= 1900 m

Gradient = VI = 31,1 = 1: 61,1 (simplify)

 
= 1 : 61,1

e.g Calculate the average gradient between bench mark 86,9 (A12) and spot height
144 (A11) on the topographical map. Show ALL your calculations.

Vertical Interval/Rise = 144 m – 86,9 m = 57.1 m

Horizontal Equivalent/Distance = 3 cm x 500 = 1 500 m

= 57.1
1500
= 1:26,3

e.g Calculate the average gradient of a reservoir (F3) and Middelburg farm houses in
block F2 on the topographical map. Show ALL calculations.

VI = 100 – 100= 0m
HE= 3.6 x 500 = 1800
= 0
1800
=1:0

e.g Calculate the gradient between contour line (marked 7), and contour line
(marked 8) on the orthophoto map. Measure from arrow point to arrow point.
Show ALL calculations. Marks will be allocated for calculations.

Gradient = VI/VR/H
HD/HE HD/HE
VI = 120 – 100
= 20 m
HD/HE = 54 cm x 100
= 540 m
20m
= 1: 27

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 Map Calculations

Direction: the position of one place from another.

• We find direction of places or objects on a map by using sixteen points of a

compass.

• The direction of the railway station in block F12 from the N1 route in block H13
on the topographical map is …
e.g north-west OR north-north west.

• What is the general direction of flow of the Bergrivier in the mapped area?
e.g north to south/ to the southwards

• The direction of trigonometrical station no 227 from trigonometrical station no 245

on the topographical map is …
e.g south-west.

• The Nantes Dam is to the … of the town of Paarl.

e.g south-west/ west

Magnetic Bearing

• Is the sum of true bearing and magnetic declination.

Formula: Magnetic bearing = True bearing + magnetic declination

• True bearing - Is the angle measured clockwise from magnetic north.

• Magnetic declination – is the angle between True North and magnetic north.

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 Map Calculations

• A bearing is more accurate method / more precise method of finding direction

than a compass.

A. Finding a True bearing by using a 360o protractor

e.g Give the true bearing of trigonometrical station 184 (block E6) from
trigonometrical station 227 (block D5). 135° √

- Use a pencil to join the two places in question on the map.

- Draw a North-South line through the ‘From’ place.
- Put the centre of your protractor-90o on the ‘From’ place.
- Make sure that your N/S line and the ‘Joining’ line extends the outer limit of your
protractor.
- Always measure the angle (True Bearing) clockwise from North (0 o) to your ‘To’
place.
- Make sure that your N/S line is along the 0o and 180o of your protractor.
- Make sure your N/S line is straight.

- If you measure using a semi-circular maths protractor that has only 180o, you
must put it to the left of the N/S line in order to measure a bearing greater than
180o. Then you must add 180o to the angle you measure.

CENTRE: 90O

e.g The true bearing of arrow point 7 from arrow point 8 on the orthophoto map is
…109°.
e.g 1 The true bearing (geographic bearing) of a wind pump (G1) from trigonometrical
station 194 (G2) on the topographical map is …282°.
e.g 2 What is the true bearing of spot height 152 from spot height 114 in block A6 on
the topographical map? …123˚

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B. Calculating the current/present Magnetic Declination

- Subtract the starting/map year from the current/present year

- Multiply the mean annual change by the number of years calculated in step 1.
- Calculate the current magnetic declination by adding the calculated degrees and
the minutes of the present with the degrees and minutes of the old declination on
the map.
- Add degrees with degrees, add minutes with minutes.
- Note: if the annual change is above 60I, is equivalent to 1o.

▪ The mean magnetic declination of this map (3318 DB Paarl) in 2002 was
…23°33′ West of true north.
▪ The mean magnetic declination of this map (3318 DB Paarl) in 2014 is …24°45′
West of true north.

e.g
Difference in years = 2014 – 2002 = 12 yrs
= 12 years x 6′ W = 72' W
= 72' = 1o 12' W
Add old o & ' together = 23°33′ + 1o 12′ W
= 24°45 ′W

Reasons why the magnetic declination will be useful to a person using a map on
a field trip:
• It will allow the map to be set for accurate orientation
• It determines true north
• To calculate magnetic bearing
• Reaching a destination using a compass

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C. Magnetic Bearing

Step 1: Determine true bearing e.g1 282o

Step 2: Calculate the present Magnetic declination: e.g

Difference in years = 2014 – 2002 = 12 yrs
= 12 years x 6′ W = 72' W
= 72' = 1o 12' W
Add old o & ' together = 23°33′ + 1o 12′ W
= 24°45 ′W

Step 3: Determine Magnetic bearing by adding the True bearing and

Magnetic declination e.g 282o + 24°45 ′
= 306 45'

e.g Determine the present magnetic bearing from spot height 89 (F1) to the wind
pump (F2). Use the following steps as a guide:

1 True bearing: _________

2 Date of map: ____________
3 Magnetic declination (old):_____________
4 Mean annual change (old):_____________
5 Difference in years (subtraction):_______________
6 Total annual change: ________________
7 Magnetic declination in 2014: _______________
8Present magnetic bearing: ___________________

e.g Determine the magnetic bearing of trigonometrical station 181 in block D2 from
a resevoir in block E3 for 2012 Using the information below. Show ALL
calculations. Marks are allocated for calculations. (8)

Magnetic declination for 2012 = 25°29′W of TN ; Mean annual change 11′W

Step 1 – TB = 180o + 174o = 354o
Step 2 - MD = 2014 – 2012 = 2 yrs
= 11 x 2 = 22'
= 25o 29' + 22' = 25o 51' W
Step 3 – MB = TB + MD
= 354o + 25o 51'
= 379o 51'

Length and (Distance)

✓ Distance has a formula = Map Distance × Map Scale (MD × MS)

✓ Length has no formula.

How to calculate distance/length on both maps:

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Calculating distance on a topographic Calculating distance on a orthophoto

map map
• Scale 1:50 000 • Scale 1:10 000
• 1 cm on the map represent • 1 cm on the map represent
0,5 km or 500 m on the ground. 1,5 km or 100 m on the ground.
• Calculations: Use a ruler on the • Calculations: Use a ruler on the
centimeter side to measure the centimeter side to measure the
distance on the map (MD) and distance on the map (MD) and
multiply the map distance by the multiply the map distance by the
map scale (MS). map scale (MS).

• E.g MD × MS • E.g MD × MS
= 4cm × 0,5km or 500m = 4cm × 0,1km or 100m
• 50 000 cm is half a kilometer, • 50 000 cm is half a kilometer,
therefore 1 km = 100 000 cm. therefore 1 km = 100 000 cm.
• E.g MD × MS • E.g MD × MS
= 4 cm × 50 000cm = 4 cm × 10 000cm
= 200 000 cm = 40 000 cm
100 000 cm 100 000 cm
= 2 km = 0,4 km
• 1 m = 100 cm, = 4cm × 50 000cm • 1 m = 100 cm, = 4cm × 10 000cm
= 200 000 cm = 40 000 cm
100m 100m
= 2000m = 400m
▪ To convert a meter to kilometer
will divide by 1000m
(1000 m = 1 km)
E.g = 4cm × 500m
= 2000m
1000m
= 2 km

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e.g Calculate the distance between spotheight 1268(H1) and spotheight 1282 in
(G2). Give your answer in metres.

▪ Calculate the length of the row of trees, in meters, from south-west to north- east
in block D3.

Length = 0,5 cm x 50 000cm or Length = 0,5 cm × 500m

= 25 000 cm = 250 m
100m
=250 m

(Range: 200m – 300 m)

▪ Calculate the length of the row of trees, in kilometers, from south-west to north-
east in block D3.

Length = 0,5 cm x 50 000cm or Length = 0,5cm × 0,5 m

= 25 000 cm = 0,25 km
100000m
=0,25 km

▪ The length of the Nantes Dam wall in block H10 is … meters. (200 m).
Measure the length of the dam wall in H10 with a ruler in cm, and convert the cm
to meters using the scale of the topographic map (1: 50 000 cm = 1: 500 m) and
(100 cm = 1 m).

Therefore; Length = 0,4 cm × 500m or = 0,4 cm × 50 000cm

= 200 m = 20 000 cm
100 m
= 200 m

▪ The length of the Nantes Dam wall in block H10 is … kilometers. (0,2 km).
Measure the length of the dam wall in H10 with a ruler in cm, and convert the cm
to kilometers using the scale of the topographic map (1: 50 000 cm = 1: 0,5 km)
and (1 km = 100 000 cm).

Therefore; Length = 0,4 cm × 0,5m or = 0,4 cm × 50 000cm

= 0,2 km = 20 000 cm
100 000 cm
= 0,2 km
▪ Calculate the length of the straight line feature labeled 2 on the orthophoto map.
Give your answer in meters.

Length = 6,2 cm x 10 000cm or Length = 6,2 cm × 100m

= 62 000 cm = 620 m
100m
=620 m

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▪ Calculate the length of the straight line feature labeled 2 on the orthophoto map.
Give your answer in kilometers.

Length = 6,2 cm x 50 000cm or Length = 6,2cm × 0,1 m

= 62 000 cm = 0,62 km
100000m
=0,62 km

▪ The length from arrow point 5 to arrow point 7 on the orthophoto map is …
meters. (1540 m).
Measure the length from arrow point to arrow point with a ruler in cm, and
convert the cm to meters using the scale of the orthophoto map (1: 10 000 cm =
1: 100 m) and (100 cm = 1 m).

Therefore; Length = 15,4 cm × 100m or = 15,4 cm × 10 000cm

= 1540 m = 154 000 cm
100 m
= 1540 m

▪ The length from arrow point 5 to arrow point 7 on the orthophto map is …
kilometers. (1.54 km).
Measure the length from arrow point to arrow point with a ruler in cm, and
convert the cm to kilometers using the scale of the orthophoto map (1: 10 000 cm
= 1: 0,1 km) and (1 km = 100 000 cm).

Therefore; Length = 15,4 cm × 0,1m or

= 15,4 cm × 10 000cm
= 1,54 km = 154 000 cm
100 000 cm
= 1,54 km
How to use the line scale on the topographical map to determine the length of
features on the map in metres or kilometers?

E.G Calculate the length of a straight line between arrow point N and Q.

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 Map Calculations

Map Index:/ Map Referencing (ALPHA –NUMERIC MAP CODE)

The index of the orthophoto map sheet southeast of Musina is …2230AC17.

The index of the map sheeton the topographical map northwest of Humansdorp is
…3324DC.
The map index to the south of 2829AC is …2829CB.
The map reference of the topographical map east of Merrivale is ...2930CB.

Contour Lines :

What is contour line? – lines on a map joining places of the same equal height or
altitude above sea level.

What is contour interval? - is the different between contours.

The contour interval of the topographical map is …20 m.

The contour interval of the orthophoto map is … 5 m.

Height : or Altitude

Height on all maps and photos is shown in metres above sea level.

Height is used to show the following:

· Relief
· Intervisibility
· Gradient
· Cross-sections
· Vertical Exaggeration

Height is shown on maps in various ways – always in metres above sea level i.e. as
altitude

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various ways of showing height on a map:

· Contour lines
· Spot heights
· Trigonometrical beacons
· Bench marks

• List THREE features that shows height on Figure above?

• What is the altitude of the secondary road at the point labeled G?
• What is the other name used for height?

e.g What is the height of the recreational grounds in blocks C13 on the
topographical map?120 m
e.g The height of the land at the trigonometrical station number 352 in block F10 on
the topographical map is …594,5 M

Stream Order ??

Times at which the orthophoto map was taken

• The approximate time that the orthophoto was taken would be …

between 08:00–10:00.
between 10:00–12:00.
between 12:00–14:00.
exactly at 12:00.

• Was this photograph taken before or after midday (12:00)?..Before midday

Reason for your answer above.

• Shadows are cast towards the southwest

• Tone of the features are clear/lighter/darker

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Approximate distance in kilometers between a mapped city/town and other

surrounding cities/towns using a road or a railway line:

• Worcester is approximately … kilometres from Paarl. 49 km

• Which town is approximately 4 km from Paarl? Willington

Intervisibility: how one place on a map can be seen from another.

e.g Is spot height 1456 intervisible from spot height 1252? Give reasons for your
answer.

DRAINAGE DENSITY
• Drainage density is the total length of streams per unit area of a drainage basin

𝐿
• FORMULA: Total length of the streams in the basin [km] or 𝐴
Total area of the drainage basin [km²]

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