In a Representative Fraction (R.F.), the fraction $\dfrac{1}{n}$ means 1 unit on the map corresponds to $n$ units on the ground (Earth's surface). The denominator therefore represents the ground distance in the same units as the numerator (map distance). For example, R.F. = 1:50,000 means 1 cm on the map = 50,000 cm (500 m) on the ground. A larger denominator means a smaller (less detailed) scale.