Math2: Plane and Spherical Trigonometry

1. The use of Trigonometry in navigation

Purpose
Trigonometry was developed for use in sailing as a navigation method used with astronomy.
The origins of trigonometry can be traced to the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and
India more than 4000 years ago.
How is it used?
Trigonometry is used by setting directions such as north south east west, it tells you what
direction to take with compass to get on a straight direction.
Trigonometry is used in navigation in order to pinpoint a location. Usually, this is done by means
of three different coordinates. One example of trigonometry in navigation is the sextant.
A Sextant is a navigational instrument containing a graduated 60-degree arc, used for
measuring altitudes to determine latitude and longitude.
Spherical Trigonometry
It is the branch of trigonometry concerned with the measurement of the angles and sides of
spherical triangles.
It is used for planning long distance routes around the world. This form of trigonometry helps
get to a location faster.

TRIGONOMETRY IN NAVIGATION

Navigation is the process to accurately determine one’s position and planning a route for the
movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. Navigation also refers to the
specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigational tasks. Navigational
techniques involve locating positions compared to known locations and patterns as well as
determining the distance between places. Modern navigation rely on satellites to determine
positions and to travel by sea and by air.
Trigonometry is fundamental to navigation. Trigonometry is used extensively in calculations
referring to Cartesian coordinates. Cartesian coordinates are used to represent North, South,
and East and West directions. Through the use of Trigonometry the distance between objects,
the required direction and a vessel’s or aircraft’s bearings can be calculated.
Compasses and Direction
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows four direction points. These points are North,
South, East and West. A compass rose, showing these directions is drawn on the compass with
‘N’ signifying North. Compasses are essential in Navigation for it determines bearings and which
way to travel. Before the compass, the position and direction at sea was done by the sighting of
landmarks and celestial bodies (stars).
The invention of the compass enabled a heading to be determined when bad weather occurred
in addition to latitude and longitude. Without the compass people could not accurately
navigate away from land and therefore not engage in trade with other nations.
What are bearings?
In marine navigation, a bearing is the direction one object is from another object, usually, the
direction of an object from one’s own vessel. In aircraft navigation, a bearing is the actual
compass direction of the forward course of the aircraft. In land navigation, a bearing is the angle
between a line connecting two points. Bearings is usually measured in degrees.
Types of bearings include:

•True bearings/ Three-figure bearings

•Magnetic bearings
•Compass bearings
•Grid bearings

2. What are the Types of Angle

 Acute angle:

An angle whose measure is less than 90 degrees. The following is an acute angle.

JANPOUL M. POSCABOL BSMT 1-17

Math2: Plane and Spherical Trigonometry

 Right angle:

An angle whose measure is 90 degrees. The following is a right angle.

 Obtuse angle:

An angle whose measure is bigger than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. Thus, it is
between 90 degrees and 180 degrees. The following is an obtuse angle.
 Straight angle

An angle whose measure is 180 degrees. Thus, a straight angle look like a straight line.
The following is a straight angle.
 Reflex angle:

An angle whose measure is bigger than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees. The
following is a reflex angle.

3. Classifications of Triangles

Right Triangles

A right triangle has one 90° angle and a variety of often-studied topics:

Equilateral triangle

The Equilateral triangle shown on the left has three congruent sides and three congruent angles.

Each angle is 60°

Isosceles triangle

The Isosceles triangle shown on the left has two equal sides and two equal
angles.

JANPOUL M. POSCABOL BSMT 1-17

Math2: Plane and Spherical Trigonometry

Scalene Triangle

The Scalene Triangle has no congruent sides. In other words, each side must have a different length..

Acute Triangle

The Acute Triangle has three acute angles (an acute angle measures less than 90°)

Obtuse Triangle

The Obtuse Triangle has an obtuse angle (an obtuse angle has more than 90°). In the picture on the
left, the shaded angle is the obtuse angle that distinguishes this triangle
Since the total degrees in any triangle is 180°, an obtuse triangle can only have one angle that
measures more than 90°.

4. Complementary Angles

Two angles are Complementary when they add up to 90 degrees (a Right Angle ).

These two angles (40° and 50°) are Complementary Angles, because they add up to 90°:

Notice that together they make a right angle .

But the angles don't have to be together.

These two are complementary because 27° + 63° = 90°

JANPOUL M. POSCABOL BSMT 1-17

Math2: Plane and Spherical Trigonometry

Complementary angles

Complementary angles are two angles with a sum of 90 ^\circ90∘. A common case is when they

form a right angle.

5. Supplementary angles

Supplementary angles are two angles with a sum of 180 ^\circ180∘. A common case is when they lie

on the same side of a straight line.

6. Angle of Elevation

The term angle of elevation denotes

the angle from the horizontal upward to an
object. An observer’s line of sight would be
above the horizontal.

7. Angle of Depression

The term angle of depression denotes the angle

from the horizontal downward to an object. An
observer’s line of sight would be below the
horizontal.

Note that the angle of elevation and the angle of depression are congruent .

8. Subtended Angle

The angle made by a line, arc or object

JANPOUL M. POSCABOL BSMT 1-17

Math2: Plane and Spherical Trigonometry

The angle formed by an object at a given external point

9. Angle of Inclination of a Line

The angle between a line and the x-axis. This angle is always between 0° and 180°, and is
measured counterclockwise from the part of the x-axis to the right of the line.

Note: All horizontal lines have angle of inclination 0°. All vertical lines have angle of inclination
90°. Also, the slope of a line is given by the tangent of the angle of inclination.

10. Bearings

A bearing is an angle, measured clockwise from the

north direction. Below, the bearing of B from A is 025
degrees (note 3 figures are always given). The bearing
of A from B is 205 degrees.

JANPOUL M. POSCABOL BSMT 1-17