Why does a map with a denominator of 1:1,000,000 have a smaller scale than a 1:100,000 map?

In cartography, map scale is defined as the ratio of a distance on the map to the corresponding distance on the ground. When expressed as a representative fraction, the denominator represents how many units on the ground are equal to one unit on the map.

A map with a denominator of 1:1,000,000 has a smaller scale than a 1:100,000 map because the larger denominator indicates that the map covers a much greater area, resulting in a more significant reduction of the features being represented. Essentially, as the scale denominator increases, the map scale itself becomes smaller, meaning individual features appear less detailed and occupy less space on the page.1