由於地圖符號相當於地圖內容的縮影，因此研究地圖內容中之地圖符號質與量的變化，對編圖者或用圖者均具相當程度的影響。本研究旨在探討地圖縮編的過程中，因地圖符號的簡化，造成用圖者在選擇合適地圖比例尺時產生的影響。地圖符號的簡化現象，包括編輯簡化與技術簡化兩大工作項目，前者係探討地圖符號數量選取的變化，後者則是探討地圖符號外形的變化。本研究擬以內政部出版的系列地形圖（1/25,000；1/50,000；1/100,000；1/250,000；1/500,000等五種比例尺）為研究對象，研究範圍以桃園縣為例。按地圖點狀符號進行量化資料的計測。利用編輯簡化處理選取多少地圖符號，方法上將採T pfer的方根模型法分析；在地圖符號外形變化方面將利用技術簡化處理，觀察地圖符號演變的設計，並歸納分析轉換過程之意義。基此，分析地圖比例尺與地圖符號間之相關性，研究結果除提供地圖編製之重要依據外，更可做為用圖者選則合適比例尺地圖的重要參考。

Because map symbols are equivalent to miniatures of map contents it is obvious that researches on the quality and quantity of map symbols in map contents are fairly influential to map makers and map users. This research aims to discuss the caused effects that in the processes of map down-scaling due to map symbols generalization affect map users' proper decision for confirmation of map scale. There are two main issues for the generalization of map symbols including editorial and technical ones. Editorial generalization is discussing variation of map symbols quantity chosen and technical one variation of map symbols' shapes. In this research it is planned to use series of topographic maps published by the Ministry of Interior (i.e. 1/25,000; 1/50,000; 1/100,000; 1/250,000; 1/5 00,000 of five kinds of scales) as the objects of study and study area is in Taoyuan County. According to point symbols calculation of quantitative data was carried out. In the processes of editing and generalization symbols were picked up and Topfer model applied for data analysis. In the shape variation of map symbols technical generalization was used to observe their design changes to conclude the meaning of analytical transformation process. Based on the results the correlation between map scale and map symbol was analyzed for the reference of map compilers and map users to choose appropriate scale.