In surveying and air navigation, bearing are used to help identify the location of an object.
The four main directions of a compass are known as cardinal directions. They are north (N), east (E), south (S) and west (W). In between each of these cardinal direction are intermediate directions of northeast (NE), southeast (SE), southwest (SW), and northwest (NW) that are $45^\circ$45° from the two cardinal directions closest. There are smaller divisions shown on the compass as well.
A three-figure bearing are:
A $T$T is often but not always used to indicate a true bearing. If the angle measure is less than $100^\circ$100° it would be written as $040^\circ$040° or $040^\circ T$040°T.
To use true bearing to describe the location of a plane at point $B$B from the airport at point $A$A :
The true bearing of $B$B from $A$A is $127^\circ$127° or $127^\circ$127°$T$T.
The diagram below describes the bearing of $P$P from $O$O. Rotating clockwise from North, we get an angle of $55^\circ$55°.
Since this measure is less than three digits, we put a 0 in front of it so the true bearing of $P$P is 055°. Consider the true bearing of $O$O from $P$P . Since angle of elevation is equal to angle of depression and we are starting at $P$P the true bearing would be $180+55=235^\circ$180+55=235°.
Find the three-figure bearing of point $P$P from $O$O.
Think: To find the three-figure bearing, we want to find the measure of the angle that rotates clockwise from North to $PO$PO.
Do: Subtract the angle from $360^\circ$360°. We have $360^\circ-47^\circ=313^\circ$360°−47°=313°
Therefore, the three-figure bearing of $P$P from $O$O is $313^\circ$313°$T$T.
The bearing needed or used completely depends on which position comes first. Have a look at the applet below. It quickly shows you how the angle changes depending on if we are measuring the bearing of $A$A from $B$B or $B$B from $A$A.
Find the true bearing of point $A$A from point $B$B.
The position of a ship S is given to be $20$20 kilometres from P, on a true bearing of $0$0$27$27$^\circ$°T.
The position of the ship can also be given by its $\left(x,y\right)$(x,y) coordinates.
If the ship's $x$x-coordinate is $x$x, find $x$x to one decimal place.
If the ship's $y$y-coordinate is $y$y, find $y$y to one decimal place.