We want to know how many 1 cm on the map actually represent cm (reduction scale). If 12 cm equals 300 m or 30,000 cm, then 1 cm equals 30,000 cm ÷ 12 cm or 2,500 cm.- 1 square meter (m²) is the area of a square whose sides measure 1 meter. - 1 square centimeter (cm²) is the area of a square whose sides measure 1 centimeter.