In map projections, the term 'conformal' means

In map projections, the term 'conformal' means

• A. Scale is the same in every direction from any point
• B. Angles are preserved, but scale varies with direction
• C. Distances are preserved along meridians
• D. Areas are preserved in size

Answer: (A)

Conformality means that shapes are preserved locally: angles between intersecting curves stay the same at small scales. This implies that, at any point on the map, distances are stretched or shrunk by a single scale factor that applies equally in all directions around that point. The scale factor can vary from place to place, but it isn’t direction-dependent at a given point. That’s why a conformal projection keeps angles intact, even though areas and overall distances may be distorted elsewhere. For example, the Mercator projection is conformal, which is why compass bearings are preserved, though areas get very distorted toward the poles.

Conformality means that shapes are preserved locally: angles between intersecting curves stay the same at small scales. This implies that, at any point on the map, distances are stretched or shrunk by a single scale factor that applies equally in all directions around that point. The scale factor can vary from place to place, but it isn’t direction-dependent at a given point. That’s why a conformal projection keeps angles intact, even though areas and overall distances may be distorted elsewhere. For example, the Mercator projection is conformal, which is why compass bearings are preserved, though areas get very distorted toward the poles.