In practice it has been found that the scale of strides is far more satisfactory than a scale of paces.
[1888]. How to make a scale of paces. Having determined the length of our pace, any one of the following three methods may be used in making a working scale:
1st method. The so-called "One thousand unit rule" method is as follows:
Multiply the R. F. (representative fraction) by the number of inches in the unit of measure multiplied by 1000; the result will be the length of line in inches necessary to show 1000 units.
For example, let us suppose that we desire a graphic scale showing 1000 yards, the scale of the map being 3 inches equal 1 mile:
Multiply 1/21120 (R. F.) by 36 (36 inches in 1 yard, the unit of measure) by 1000,—that is,
(1/21120) × 36 × 1000 = 36000/21120 = 1.7046 inches.
Therefore, a line or graphic scale 1.7 inches in length will represent 1000 yards.
If we desire a working scale of paces at 3 inches to the mile, and we have determined that our pace is 31 inches long, we would have (1/21120) × 31 × 1000 = 31000/21120 = 1.467 inches.
We can now lay off this distance and divide it into ten equal parts, and each will give us a 100-pace division.