Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes a representative fraction?

1. A method of calculating population density

2. A scale of a map represented as a ratio or fraction

3. A unit of measure for geographical distances

4. A technique for statistical analysis of geographic data

The correct answer is: A scale of a map represented as a ratio or fraction

A representative fraction is best described as a scale of a map represented as a ratio or fraction. This type of scale indicates the relationship between distances on the map and the actual distances on the ground. For example, a representative fraction of 1:50,000 means that one unit of measurement on the map (whether inches, centimeters, etc.) is equivalent to 50,000 of the same units on the Earth's surface. This method provides a clear, numerical way to understand scale without relying on specific units, making it versatile for various map types and measurements. The other options focus on different concepts entirely. Calculating population density involves comparisons of population figures to land area, while a unit of measure for geographical distances pertains to how distances are quantified but does not directly relate to how those distances are represented on a map. A technique for statistical analysis of geographic data addresses the methodologies used for data interpretation and manipulation, which is also unrelated to the definition of representative fractions.