A map has a scale of $1: 600000$. On the map, the distance between Gausstown and Piville is $2 \mathrm{~cm}$. What is the actual distance between the towns?
(A) $12 \mathrm{~km}$
(B) $1.2 \mathrm{~km}$
(C) $120 \mathrm{~km}$
(D) $1200 \mathrm{~km}$
(E) $12000 \mathrm{~km}$
The map's scale of $1: 600000$ means that a $1 \mathrm{~cm}$ distance on the map represents an actual distance of $600000 \mathrm{~cm}$.

So then $2 \mathrm{~cm}$ measured on the map represents an actual distance of $2 \times 600000=1200000 \mathrm{~cm}$ or $12000 \mathrm{~m}$ or $12 \mathrm{~km}$.

The actual distance between Gausstown and Piville is $12 \mathrm{~km}$.

ANSWER: (A)