To determine the actual distance between the two cities on the map, let's follow the steps below:
1. Identify the Scale:
- The scale is given as 1 inch on the map equals 100 miles in reality.
2. Measure the Distance on the Map:
- The mapped distance between the two cities is measured to be 5.5 inches.
3. Calculate the Actual Distance:
- To find the actual distance, you need to multiply the distance on the map by the scale factor.
- The calculation is as follows:
[tex]\[
\text{Actual Distance} = \text{Distance on Map} \times \text{Scale}
\][/tex]
- Plugging in the values:
[tex]\[
\text{Actual Distance} = 5.5 \text{ inches} \times 100 \text{ miles/inch}
\][/tex]
4. Perform the Multiplication:
- Now multiply 5.5 by 100:
[tex]\[
5.5 \times 100 = 550
\][/tex]
5. Conclusion:
- The actual distance between the two cities is 550 miles.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{550 \text{ mi}} \][/tex]
