What type of scales includes verbal scale, visual scale, and representative scale?

The correct answer refers to map scales, which are essential components of cartography. Map scales provide a means to relate distance on a map to real-world distances. The types mentioned—verbal scale, visual scale, and representative scale—are common methods of expressing this relationship.

A verbal scale describes the scale in words, for example, "1 inch equals 1 mile." This gives the user an intuitive understanding of distance.

A visual scale, also known as a bar scale or graphic scale, presents a visual representation on the map itself. It typically consists of a line or bar divided into segments, each corresponding to a specific real-world distance, allowing users to measure distances directly on the map without the need for conversion.

A representative scale, expressed as a fraction or ratio (like 1:50,000), denotes that one unit on the map equals 50,000 of the same units on the ground. This type of scale offers precision and is independent of the units of measurement (whether kilometers, miles, inches, etc.).

By including verbal, visual, and representative scales, the concept of map scales encompasses various ways to effectively convey distance information to users, making it a fundamental aspect of map design and interpretation.