Map Trap

• Distance, direction, and scale are the key math ideas that make maps work.

Visit a website that uses mathematics to search, sort, and calculate a personal map for you. Enter information about a place you want to go, and the website finds the place and even calculates the distance you need to travel.

Click an activity to get started.

» Put Yourself On The Map

» School Shortcuts

» Free Trip

Make a map of your neighborhood. Then, experiment with changing the scale of the map. Here's how.

What You Do

Create Your Map

1. Go to MapQuest's Online Maps page.

2. Type the street address of your home in the box next to "Address/Intersection."

3. Type the name of your city in the box next to "City."

4. Type the letter code for your state or province in the box next to "State/Province."

5. Type your ZIP code in the box next to "ZIP code/Postal Code." (If you don't know your ZIP code or don't live in the United States, just leave the box blank.)

6. If you don't live in the United States, type the name of your country in the box next to "Country."

7. Check what you have typed to make sure it is correct. Then, click the Get Map button. After a few moments, you should see a map of the area around your home.

Read Your Map

1. Find the star on your map. This is the location of your home.

2. Look in the upper right corner of your map. You should see a scale. Notice that it shows both Metric and customary units.

3. Now look at the buttons on the right-hand side of the map. These buttons control the scale of the map displayed. Click the word "City" and note how the scale changes.

4. Try clicking a few of the other words to observe how the scale changes.

5. Remember to return to this page by closing the new window.

Now that you are ready, go to MapQuest's Online Maps page.

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School Shortcuts

Use a website to create a map showing the shortest distance between your home and your school. Be sure to do the Put Yourself On The Map activity first so you'll already be familiar with how to make a map, then get started.

What You Do

Create Your Map

1. Go to MapQuest's Driving Directions Form.

2. In the box marked "Starting Address," type in your complete home address.

3. In the box marked "Destination Address," type in the complete address of your school.

4. Underneath "Route Types," select "Door-to-Door" and Underneath "Display Type," select "Overview Map with Text."

5. Click Calculate Directions. After a few moments, you should see three small maps showing your home and your school, with the shortest route between the two indicated.

6. Look at the map to see if this is the route you take to school.

Find Your Distance

1. Scroll down the page until you see the words "Total Distance."

2. Note the total number of miles and kilometers you must travel by this route to get to and from school.

3. Remember to return to this page by closing the new window.

Now that you are ready, use MapQuest's Driving Directions Form.

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Free Trip

You've just won a trip for you and five friends to go anywhere in the United States. A car and driver are provided. You can start at any city and go to any city you want as long as you don't go over 2,000 miles, one way.

What You Do

1. Go to MapQuest's Driving Directions Form.

2. In the box marked "Starting Address," type in the name of your starting city and state.

3. In the box marked "Destination Address," type in the name of your destination city and state.

4. Scroll down, and then click Calculate Directions. After a few moments, you should see three small maps showing your starting point and your destination.

5. Scroll down the page until you see "Total Distance." See if your total distance travelled is less than or equal to 2,000 miles. If it isn't, click the Back button on your browser, and then pick another city.

6. Remember to return to this page by closing the new window.

Now that you're ready, travel to MapQuest's Driving Directions Form.

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