The distance between two cities on a map is 2 inches. The map scale is 1/4 inch = 5 miles. What is the actual distance between the cities?

Answer: The actual distance is 40 miles.

Step-by-step explanation:

First, it's always easier for the first unit to be 1, so it's easier to convert. To do get one from 1/4, you would multiply by 4.

1/4 x 4 = 1

However, we all know that if you do something to one side, you must do it to the other side, so we multiply 5 by 4.

5 x 4 = 20.

Your equation know looks like this:

1 inch = 20 miles.

Now, we just multiply both sides by 2, since that the amount of inches we need.

1 x 2 inches = 20 x 2 miles

2 inches = 40 miles

Therefore, the actual distance is 40 miles.