On a 1:24,000 scale map, one inch is equivalent to how many feet?

When working with maps, scale indicates the relationship between the distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground. A 1:24,000 scale means that one unit on the map is equal to 24,000 of the same units on the ground.

To determine how many feet one inch on a 1:24,000 scale map represents, we can start with the knowledge that there are 12 inches in a foot. Therefore, to convert the 24,000 units (which are in inches, since we are measuring inches on the map) into feet, we divide by 12.

24,000 inches divided by 12 equals 2,000 feet. This means that one inch on a 1:24,000 scale map corresponds to 2,000 feet in reality, making the correct answer 2000 feet.

Understanding map scales is crucial in search and rescue operations, as accurate distances can significantly affect planning and response time.