Mapping

# Representative fractions

By Aileen Buckley, Mapping Center Lead

A representative fraction (RF) is the ratio of distance on the map to distance on the ground. Representative fractions are expressed in the form of 1 followed by a : (colon) and then a number, where the one is the numerator in the fraction, the colon represents the division operation, and the other number is the denominator. Thus, a scale of 1:24,000 can be expressed mathematically as 1/24,000. In fact, on some maps, you will see the RF represented using a division sign.

A representative fraction indicates ratio between the number of units on the map to the number of units on the ground.

Representative fractions are a unit-less relation between one “unit” on the map and how ever many “units” of the same type on the ground. An RF of 1:24,000 means one inch on the map equals 24,000 inches on the ground and one centimeter on the map equals 24,000 centimeters on the ground.

RFs are easy to determine and to insert in ArcMap. To find out the RF of the current map, simply look at the Map Scale drop down on the top bar menu.

The representative fraction for the map is shown along the top bar menu in ArcMap.

To insert an RF on your map, click Insert on the top bar menu, then select Scale Text. The first choice on this dialog, “Absolute Scale”, is a representative fraction (figure 3). As with scale bars, after you select this, you can change many of its properties. Once inserted, you can also double click the RF to change even more properties.

The first option in the Scale Text dialog is used to insert a representative fraction into your map.

A representative fraction can be shown along with a scale bar to help map readers even more.

Design

As with scale bars, this map element should be subtle and it should not draw the attention of the map reader – again, they should have to shift their attention in order to find it on the page. The font size used for the RF should be some of the smallest on the page.

If you use an RF with a scale bar, you should place it directly above or below the scale bar. Which you choose will be determined by the layout of your map, but usually the RF is shown above the scale bar. Oftentimes the text for the RF will use the same font as the text and labels for the scale bar – this keeps both at the same visual plane and it relates them visually for the map reader.

Uses

These scale indicators are often used on smaller scale maps and they will also appear along with other scale indicators (verbal scales or more often scale bars) on larger scale maps. Many maps, including the USGS topographic map series, are primarily known by their representative fraction e.g., 1:24,000 scale quadrangle maps.

Look for a blog entry on verbal scales from me next!

The third most common way to indicate scale on a map is though the use of a verbal scale – these are less common than representative fractions (RFs) but they are usually more intuitive!