Definition
A multiplier for reducing a distance obtained from a MAP by computation or scaling to the actual distance on the DATUM of the MAP. A conventional modification which may be applied to the majority of map PROJECTIONS. This is the multiplication of the PRINCIPAL SCALE by some numerical constant which is slightly less than unity. This has the effect of changing all PARTICULAR SCALES by a corresponding amount and, since both maximum and minimum PARTICULAR SCALES are similarly modified, the special properties of the PROJECTION are unaffected. The effect is to produce a better balance of positive and negative SCALE ERRORS over the mapped area.