Bearings
Objective. Measure and use three-figure bearings.
- 1. Learn
- 2. Worked example
- 3. Practice
- 4. Feedback
- 5. Continue
Learn: the key idea
A bearing is a direction measured clockwise from north, always written using three figures, so a direction of 7° is written as 007°. To find a bearing from a diagram, draw a north line at the starting point, measure the clockwise angle to the destination, and record it as a three-figure number between 000° and 360°. For example, a direction exactly east of a point has a bearing of 090°, while south is 180° and west is 270°. When finding a return bearing (back bearing), add 180° to the original bearing if it is less than 180°, or subtract 180° if it is 180° or more.
Worked example
A ship travels on a bearing of 065° from port. Find the bearing it would need to travel to return directly to port.
- 1The return journey is the back bearing, found by adding or subtracting 180°.
- 2Since 065° is less than 180°, add 180° instead of subtracting.
- 3065 + 180 = 245.
- 4Write this as a three-figure bearing: 245°.
Answer: 245°
Concept mastery
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Practice
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Start practisingCommon mistake. Pupils often write a bearing with only one or two digits, such as writing 45° instead of the required three-figure format 045°. Always write bearings using exactly three digits, adding leading zeros where necessary.
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