Question - Calculating the Actual Distance Between Two Cities Using a Map Scale

Let the actual distance between the two cities be \( D \) miles.

The map scale provided is \( 1 \text{cm} = 20 \text{mi} \).

The cities are 0.5 centimeters apart on the map.

Using the scale, we can write the relation as follows:

\( 1 \text{cm} \text{ on map} = 20 \text{ mi in actual distance} \)

Hence, \( 0.5 \text{cm} \text{ on map} = 0.5 \times 20 \text{ mi in actual distance} \)

So, \( D = 0.5 \times 20 \)

\( D = 10 \)

Therefore, the actual distance between the two cities is \( 10 \) miles.