Use of Maps

Use of Maps for Class 3 Math

This chapter will introduce the concept of the use of maps to students. Also, they will learn about the cardinal directions and the left and right images.
From the learning concepts, students will learn to:

  • Use the left and right images daily to find directions
  • Identify the cardinal directions
  • Apply knowledge of maps in a real-life situation

The concept is explained to class 3 students using examples, illustrations and concept maps. At the end of the page, two printable worksheets with solutions are attached for the students.

Download the use of maps, worksheets and printable solutions and assess your knowledge.

What Are the Uses of Maps?

  • A map helps us to get the right directions to any place.
  • Map guides us in the right direction whenever we are lost.
  • Direction is the pathway along which an object is moving.

 

Left and Right

The concept of right and left is very important in our daily life. It helps us to walk along the road, find any address etc.

  • The hand which we use to eat and do most of the work is the right hand. That side is called the right side.
  • The other hand which is less active is called the left hand. That side is called the left side.
left hand and right hand

This picture is showing the left side and right side clearly.

 

Let’s see one more example:

Example:

Look at the picture below the position of the cat with respect to the dinosaur, the penguin, the bee, and the frog are marked as left and right.

 

Cardinal Directions

  • Cardinal directions are the four main points of a compass. These are North, South, East, and West.
  • The sun rises in the east. So, if we start walking toward the sunrise, we are walking in the east. The sunsets in the west. So, if we start walking toward the sunset, we are walking in the west.
  • If we stand facing east spreading our hands, the left hand will point to the north and the right hand will point to the south direction.
  • All of the cardinal directions are shown in the given image.

In Short, we denote these four cardinal directions as:

  • In a map the cardinal directions are shown like this.

Example:

What direction is the rocket pointing?

Answer:

 

Real-Life Example:

Let us discuss it with an example.

Example:

Look at the below picture carefully and answer the question. Use the compass to answer questions.

  1. The school is __________of the library.
  2. The zoo is ___________ of the school.
  3. The grocery store is ________of the fire department.
  4. The grocery store is __________of the hospital.
  5. The zoo is ___________of the fire department.
  6. The school is _____________ of the hospital

Answer:

  1. The school is south of the library.
  2. The zoo is west of the school.
  3. The grocery store is east of the fire department.
  4. The grocery store is south of the hospital.
  5. The zoo is south of the fire department.
  6. The school is west of the hospital.

Admissions Open for 2025-26

Admission Enquiry
Enquire Now