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How to Calculate Distances Between Multiple Points on a Map

A good map of a geographic area (such as the United States) will have a scale printed on it that shows how much distance on the map equates to how much distance in the space the map represents. For example, 1 inch on the map might be 1 mile in the space the map represents. The scale is a function of the size of the map and the space it represents.

Ruler

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the scale of the map, often found in one of the corners of the map, such as within an inset box. It should include words such as "1 inch = 100 miles."
- 2
  Measure the distance between any two points of the points on your list with a ruler. For example, if your list has New York, Chicago and Detroit, first measure the distance between New York and Chicago. You might get 7 1/8."
- 3
  Multiply this result by the scale factor. In the example, 7 1/8 * 100 = 712.5 miles. This is the distance from New York to Chicago.
- 4
  Repeat steps 2 and 3 with each pair of points.

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