Calculating Area on a Topographic Map

Question 1

On a Malaysian topographic map, one full grid square represents an area of:

Accepted Answer

1 km² — Each grid square measures 1 km by 1 km, giving an area of 1 km².

Question 2

The main method for finding area on a topographic map is to:

Accepted Answer

Count grid squares — Area is estimated by counting the 1 km² grid squares a feature covers.

Question 3

How is a part square that is more than half covered treated?

Accepted Answer

Counted as a full square — A square that is half or more covered is rounded up to one full square.

Question 4

A part square covering less than half of a grid square is:

Accepted Answer

Ignored — Squares less than half covered are left out to balance the estimate.

Question 5

A forest covers 9 full squares and part squares combining to 3 full squares. Its area is:

Accepted Answer

12 km² — Add the full and combined part squares: 9 + 3 = 12 km².

Question 6

The correct unit for area on a topographic map is:

Accepted Answer

km² — Area is a two-dimensional measure, so it is written in square kilometres.

Question 7

Why do we combine incomplete squares before totalling?

Accepted Answer

To estimate the area they cover together — Combining part squares gives a fair estimate of their total coverage.

Question 8

A paddy area covers exactly 5 full grid squares. Its area is:

Accepted Answer

5 km² — Five full squares each of 1 km² total 5 km².

Question 9

Counting grid squares is most suitable for measuring the area of:

Accepted Answer

A large region such as a forest — The method works best for wide areal features like forests or swamps.

Question 10

If a lake covers 4 full squares and part squares equal to about 2 full squares, the area is:

Accepted Answer

6 km² — 4 full plus 2 combined part squares gives 6 km².