Hi Rick, 

I would go with what you came up with measuring the bar scale on the map. You are partially correct about Google Maps and their use of a projection that might/could be different than the one used on the paper map and that alone could account for the discrepancy. In addition, screen resolution may also play a factor. All that said, as catalogers we are to describe from the resource, and so that is why I advise delivering what you got from the map itself. 

Paige 

From: "Rick Grapes" <[log in to unmask]> 
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> 
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2018 2:55:26 PM 
Subject: A scale question. 



Hi all, 



I have a calculating scale question. This map I’m cataloging has a bar scale. I measured the bar, did the math, and got the ratio. 



Just for the fun of it I also measured between 2 points on the map, as far apart as the map would allow, obviously much greater than the bar scale, then measured between the same 2 points on google maps, and again did the math. The difference was about 10%. Which calculation would you trust? Granted, either entries in the 255 would be an approximation. A potential issue could be divergent projections etc. Any suggestions? 



Rick Grapes 

BYU Map Cataloger