Measurement of Angles and Directions

A] MERIDIANS
TRUE Meridian - astronomic or geographic meridian and generally
adapted reference line in surveying practice.
MAGNETIC Meridian - fixed line of reference which lies parallel with the
magnetic lines of the earth.
GRID Meridian - fixed line of reference parallel to the central meridian of
a system of plane rectangular coordinates.
ASSUMED Meridian - an arbitrary chosen fixed line of reference.
B] BEARING OF A LINE
BEARING - acute horizontal angle between the meridians and the
line. (a measurement having both angle and direction,
i.e. N 12034’56” E
C] AZIMUTH OF A LINE
AZIMUTH - the clockwise angle design as being measured between
either the north end (NORTH AZIMUTH) or south end
(SOUTH AZIMUTH / AZIMUTH) of the reference meridian
and the line in question.

**NOTE: α = AZIMUTH Angle

β = BEARING Angle
Ѳ = Others

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
E1] Determine the angles from bearings. Angle APB, and CPD.
A) PA, N 32025’ E
PB, N 73040’ E
B) PC, S 46023’ W
PD, N 82005’ W

Solution:
A) PA, N 32025’ E
PB, N 73040’ E

32025’ + Ѳ = 73040’
Ѳ = 73040’ – 32025’ = 41015’
 B) PC, S 46023’ W
PD, N 82005’ W

82005’ + Ѳ + 46023’ = 1800

Ѳ = 1800 – 82005’ – 46023’ = 51032’

E2) In the accompanying figure, determine the azimuth from north of lines BC,
and CD if the azimuth of line AB is 325022’.
 Solution:
A) For αBC:

Using:
αBC + Ѳ2 = 81030’

*To solve αBC, we need to

determine first the value of Ѳ2:
RECALL: From Geometry
Ѳ1 = Ѳ2

Solving for Ѳ1:

*Consider Point A:
325022’ + Ѳ1 = 3600
Ѳ1 = 3600 – 325022’ = 34038’
Then; Ѳ1 = Ѳ2 = 34038’

Thus: From, αBC + Ѳ2 = 81030’

substituting Ѳ2 :
αBC + 34038’ = 81030’
αBC = 81030’ – 34038’ = 46052’

B) For αCD:

Using:
αCD + Ѳ4 = 1800

But; for Ѳ4
Ѳ3 + Ѳ4 = 168015’

And; Ѳ3 = αBC = 46052’

Then:
46052’+ Ѳ4 = 168015’
Ѳ4 = 168015’ – 46052’
Ѳ4 = 121023’

Thus; From, αCD + Ѳ4 = 1800

substituting Ѳ4 :
αCD + 121023’ = 1800
αBC = 1800 – 121023’ = 58037’

PRACTICE PROBLEM:
Side AB of an equilateral triangle has a bearing of N 69 013’ W. If vertex C lies
somewhere north of side AB, determine the bearings of sides BC and CA.