Before revision: A map would also usually give its scale numerically ("1:50,000", for instance, means that one cm on the map represents 50,000cm of real space, which is 500 meters) A bar scale with the nominal scale , expressed as both " 1cm = 6km" and " 1:600 000" (equivalent, because 6km = 600 000cm)
After revision: A map would also usually give its scale numerically ("1:50,000", for instance, means that one cm on the map represents 50,000cm of real space, which is 500 meters) A bar scale with the nominal scale expressed as " 1cm = 6km" and " 1:600 000" , meaning 1 cm on the map to 600 ,000cm6km on the ground.