Explanation: In the context of map reading and geographical understanding, the concept of scale is fundamental. The scale of a map is a ratio that indicates how distances on the map correspond to actual distances in the real world. For instance, if the scale is 1cm on the map equals 10km in reality, this means that every centimeter on the map represents 10 kilometers in the real world.
To solve the problem, we need to apply this scale to the given map distance. The problem states that the distance between Mumbai and Delhi on the map is 60cm. Using the scale provided (1cm on the map = 10km in reality), we can calculate the actual distance as follows:
1. Identify the scale: 1cm on the map = 10km in reality.
2. Identify the map distance: 60cm on the map.
3. Apply the scale to the map distance: \( 60 \text{cm} \times 10 \text{km/cm} = 600 \text{km} \).
Thus, the actual distance between Mumbai and Delhi is 600km.
It is important to understand that the scale is a ratio and not a direct measurement. This means that the distance on the map must be multiplied by the scale factor to get the actual distance. Students often make the mistake of directly equating the map distance to the real distance without considering the scale factor, leading to incorrect answers.
In summary, the correct answer is 600km, as calculated by multiplying the map distance (60cm) by the scale factor (10km per cm). This method ensures that the actual distance is accurately determined based on the given scale. Understanding and applying the concept of scale is crucial for map reading and geographical calculations.