To figure out how far things really are using a map, you need to look at the scale that’s shown on it. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Check the Scale: Look for the scale bar or numbers like 1:50,000 on the map. This tells you how much distance on the map equals real distance.

2. Measure the Map Distance: Use a ruler or a piece of string to find out how far apart things are on the map.

3. Calculate the Real-World Distance:

   If the scale is 1:50,000, that means 1 centimeter (cm) on the map is actually 50,000 centimeters (cm) in the real world.

   For instance, if you measure 5 cm on the map, you do a little math to find the real distance:

   Multiply 5 cm by 50,000:

   $\text{Real Distance} = 5 \, \text{cm} \times 50,000 \, \text{cm} = 250,000 \, \text{cm}$

   Now, let’s change that into kilometers.

   Since there are 100,000 centimeters in a kilometer, you divide:

   $\frac{250,000 \, \text{cm}}{100,000} = 2.5 \, \text{km}$

And that’s it! Now you know the real distance!