Amap with scale of 1: 24,000 means that

The first is a ratio scale. The ratio scale on this map is 1:24,000. What it means is that one inch on the map represents 24,000 inches on the ground. Or one centimeter on the map represents 24,000 centimeters on the ground (or any other unit you want to choose).

Sources: faculty.chemeketa.edu/afrank1/topo_maps/scale.htm

Hope this helps. :)