A measure describing the resolution of a map, architectural plan, or some similar document. A map, for example, might be described as "1:250 000 scale". In general, 1:n scale means that 1 unit of distance on the map or plan represents n of the same units in fact. It doesn't matter what unit of distance is used, as long as it is the same in both cases. On a 1:250 000 scale map, 1 centimeter on the map represents 250 000 centimeters (exactly 2.5 kilometers) on the ground. On the same map, one inch on the map represents 250 000 inches (about 3.9457 miles) on the ground. The use of the terms "larger" and "smaller" referring to scale is often confusing. A 1:m scale map has larger scale than a 1:n scale map if m is less than n. For example, a 1:100 000 scale map has larger scale than a 1:250 000 scale map, and the same place or object will appear larger on the larger scale map. Mathematically, the notation 1:n is simply another way of writing the ratio 1/n