Map Scale Calculation: 1 Inch = 0.5 Miles, Map Distance = 5.5 Inches

This is a straightforward scale conversion problem.

Given

• Map scale: 1 inch = 0.5 miles
• Distance measured on map: 5.5 inches

Calculation

Actual Distance = Map Distance × Scale Factor
Actual Distance = 5.5 in × 0.5 mi/in
Actual Distance = 2.75 miles

Answer

The actual distance between the two towns is 2.75 miles.

Note

The question asks "what actual towns?"—this cannot be answered from the information given. The calculation only yields the distance, not the identity of the towns.