1. **State the problem:** We have a map scale of 1 : 200000, meaning 1 cm on the map represents 200000 cm in real life. 2. **Given:** The actual distance between two towns is 28 kilometres. 3. **Convert kilometres to centimetres:** $$28 \text{ km} = 28 \times 1000 \text{ m} = 28000 \text{ m}$$ $$28000 \text{ m} = 28000 \times 100 \text{ cm} = 2,800,000 \text{ cm}$$ 4. **Use the scale to find the map distance:** Since 1 cm on the map = 200000 cm in real life, $$\text{Map distance} = \frac{2,800,000 \text{ cm}}{200,000} = 14 \text{ cm}$$ 5. **Answer:** The distance on the map between the two towns is **14 centimetres**.