BEARINGS Grade 10 and

11
 OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to:

1. recall the cardinal points and state the size of angles between consecutive points.
2. define bearing and represent the cardinal points using bearings
3. sketch the diagram of a bearing of one point in relation to another
4. calculate the bearing of one point from another [back bearing]
5. calculate distance travelled north, south, east or west along a given bearing
6. draw a diagram showing a three-point journey, identifying different angles and using
angle properties to determine bearings/angles
7. apply geometry and trigonometric ratios or rules to determine angles, length of sides
of a triangle or bearings
 CARDINAL POINTS

State the four main cardinal points by inserting the response in the diagram below.

W E

Four main cardinal

points are north, south,
S
east and west
Cardinal directions are one set of directions that people around the world use.
CARDINAL POINTS

What is the measure of angle

between any two given cardinal
points?

The north-south and west-

east lines are
perpendicular, hence the
angle formed when they
meet is 90°.
 CARDINAL POINTS

State the midway

N cardinal points.
NE
NW

W E
There are four mid-
way cardinal points
SW SE northeast, southeast,
S southwest and
northwest.
CARDINAL POINTS

What is the measure of

angle between the cardinal
points and the midway
values?

the measure of the angle

between the cardinal
points and the midway
points 45°.
ACTIVITY

E of the
1. The School is _____
hospital.
W of the
2. The Zoo is _____
Hospital
S of the
3. The Gallery is _____
Hospital’
N of the
4. The school is _____
Cinema.
5. Describe the location of
the cinema and museum
from the Hospital,
6. Describe the location of
the school and zoo from
the Gallery,
ACTIVITY

1. Describe the
location of the
cinema and
museum from
the Hospital,

SE - Cinema
SW - Museum
ACTIVITY

1. Describe the
location of the
school and zoo
from the
Gallery,

NE - School
NW - Zoo
 BEARINGS

The bearing of an object is the angle measured in a

clockwise direction from north to the object.
 
Note: Bearings are always written using three digits.

A compass gives directions, several professionals use

what is known as bearings. Pilots use bearings to navigate
their plane and sailors use bearings to navigate their ships.
 SUMMARY
BEARING COMPASS

Key Points:
•Bearing is measured clockwise from north
•Bearing is written with three digits.
 re a s o nin g for each
e
 Encourag
calculation t
D r a w c le an and nea

diagrams ts
o w b e a r in g movemen
 S h
rth line
from the no
e l r e la t iv e distances –
 Mod p re senting 14k
m
E.g. A li n e re e
b e t w ic e as long as th
should
ne r e p r e s e nting 7km.
li
 SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER
 EXAMPLE: Draw a sketch of the following bearings.
 
1. From a point B, the bearing of a point A is .
N
A   1. The point that is directly following the
word FROM is the starting point. Put that
56˚ point down first. That is, point B.
2. Every starting point must have a north
line. Draw and label north line at B.
B 3. Using the bearing compass, determine
where the angle would fall and draw a line
from the starting point in that direction.
Label the angle . [Remember the bearing
is from north in a clockwise direction]
4. Label the point at the end of the line A.
 SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER
 EXAMPLE: Draw a sketch of the following bearings.
 
1. From a point B, the bearing of a point A is .
 SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER
 
EXAMPLE: Draw a sketch of the following bearings.
 
2. The bearing of a place A from a mountain B is
N
  1. The point that is directly following the
word FROM is the starting point. Put
that point down first. That is, point B.
220˚ 2. Every starting point must have a north
B line. Draw and label north line at B.
3. Using the bearing compass, determine
where the angle would fall and draw a
line from the starting point in that
direction. Label the angle . [Remember
A the bearing is from north in a clockwise
direction]
4. Label the point at the end of the line A.
 SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER
 
EXAMPLE: Draw a sketch of the following bearings.
 
2. The bearing of a place A from a mountain B is
 ACTIVITY#1

 
Draw a sketch to illustrate each of the following
bearings. Mark the angle in your sketch and label
points.

1. From a point P, the bearing of a point Q is

2. From a place A, the bearing of a point B is
3. The bearing of a place M from a place N is
4. The bearing of a point K from a point L is
SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER

30˚

P
SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER

A
N B
140˚
SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER
N
330˚
N

M
SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER

N
K 250˚
L
 ACTIVITY #2

 1. A man walks 8 km from a point T on a bearing of He then walks , on a

bearing to K.

2. A helicopter flies from point G on a bearing to a point P. It then changes

direction by flying to X away.

3. A bus driver travels east from X. He then travels to Y and then on a

bearing to Z.
SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER

N
N 8 km
A
95˚
190˚
K

12 km
 SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER

N G P 60 km
N 80˚

X
100 km
280˚
SKETCH THE BEARING OF ONE POINT IN
RELATION TO ANOTHER

Z
N X
50 km
N 71 km
85˚
Y

64 km
ANGLE RELATIONSHIPS

Angles at a point
●

Adjacent Angles
●

Supplementary Angles
●

Complementary angle
●

Co-interior angles
●

Alternate angles
●

Corresponding angles
●

Vertically opposite angles

●
 ANGLES AT A POINT

VERTICAL OPPOSITE ANGLES ARE EQUAL.

When two straight lines intersect at a point
vertical opposite angles are formed(look for an
X shape).
 ANGLES AT A POINT

REMEMBER: THE SUM OF ANGES AT A POINT

EQUALS 360˚. a + b + c + d+ e = 360˚
 ADJACENT ANGLES

ANGLES THAT ARE NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER SHARING

A COMMON SIDE, A COMMON VERTEX AND NO
OVERLAP.
WHICH ARE ADJACENT ANGLES?
 STRAIGHT LINE ANGLES

 A STRAIGHT LINE MEASURES 180˚

 SUPPLEMENTARY ANGLES

TWO ANGLES ARE SUPPLEMENTARY WHEN

THEY ADD UP TO 180 DEGREES.
 ARE THE ANGLES SUPPLEMENTARY?

THE ANGLES DON'T HAVE TO BE TOGETHER.

THESE TWO ARE SUPPLEMENTARY BECAUSE
60° + 120° = 180°
 COMPLEMENTARY ANGLES

TWO ANGLES ARE COMPLEMENTARY WHEN

ADD UP TO 90 DEGREES (A RIGHT ANGLE).
 ARE THE ANGLES COMPLEMENTARY?

THE ANGLES DON'T HAVE TO BE TOGETHER.

THESE TWO ARE COMPLEMENTARY BECAUSE 27° +
63° = 90°
 ALTERNATE INTERIOR ANGLES

WHEN TWO PARALLEL LINES ARE CUT BY A

TRANSVERSAL ALTERNATE ANGLES ARE
FORMED (Look for a Z shape).
ALTERNATE EXTERIOR ANGLES
 CORRESPONDING ANGLES

WHEN TWO PARALLEL LINES ARE CUT BY A

TRANSVERSAL CORRESPONDING ANGLES ARE
FORMED (Look for a F shape).
 CORRESPONDING ANGLES

WHEN TWO PARALLEL LINES ARE CUT BY A

TRANSVERSAL CORRESPONDING ANGLES ARE
FORMED (Look for a F shape).
 C0-INTERIOR ANGLES
WHEN TWO PARALLEL LINES ARE CUT BY A
TRANSVERSAL CO-INTERIOR ANGLES ARE
FORMED (Look for a C shape). THEY ARE
SUPPLEMENTARY.
 C0-INTERIOR ANGLES

CO-INTERIOR ANGLES ADDS UP TO 180˚. THEY

ARE SUPPLEMENTARY
 IDENTIFY THE FOLOWING

https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/alternate-
interior-angles.html
 INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY

WEBSITE https://www.transum.org/Maths/Activity/Angle/Chase.asp
 CALCULATING THE BACK BEARING

  The bearing of a point A from a point B is State the bearing of B from A.

N  1. Draw the diagram based on question

given.
2. Determine Bearing of B from A,
using Co-interior Angles
N (co-interior angles sums to 180 degrees)
  0 A
105
  0
255

  0
75
B (Sum of angles at point A is 360 degrees)

Bearing of B from A =
 CALCULATING THE BACK BEARING

  The bearing of a point A from a point B is State the bearing of B from A.

 1. Draw the diagram based on question
given.
N 2. Determine Bearing of B from A, using
Corresponding Angles
- extend the line BA to X
( which will produce a straight angle and an
  0
75 X
N acute angle)
0
A 255
 
(corresponding angles are equal)
  0
180
0
75
 
(Angle BAX is a straight angle = )
B
Bearing of B from A =
 CALCULATING THE BACK BEARING

  The bearing of a point A from a point B is State the bearing of B from A.

 1. Draw the diagram based on question given

2. Determine Bearing of B from A, using
N Alternate Angles
- extend the line NA to X
( which will produce a straight angle and an
acute angle)
N
A 0
255
 
(alternate angles (Z-angles) are equal)
0
0 180
  (Angle NAX is a straight angle = )
75
 
0 75
 
Bearing of B from A =
B
X
ACTIVITY: READ BEARINGS
ACTIVITY: READ BEARINGS
ACTIVITY: READ BEARINGS
ACTIVITY: READ BEARINGS
 ACTIVITY

 
1. The bearing of a point Q from a point P is .
Determine the bearing of P from Q.
2. The bearing of a point B from a place A, is .
Determine the bearing of A from B.
3. The bearing of a place M from a place N is .
Calculate the bearing of N from M.
4. The bearing of a point K from a point L is .
Calculate the bearing of L from K.
 N

WORKING OUT BOARD

N
100 km

30˚

P
 N

WORKING OUT BOARD

N
100 km

30˚

P
WORKING OUT BOARD

N1

140˚

A
N2

B
N2

N1
M

330˚N
 N1

N2

L 250˚

K
 EXAMPLE #1

(a) Calculate the distance travelled south

N and east by a
ship sailing on a bearing of 150˚ for 90 km.
N
Solution (A):
Draw diagram based on
information given.
- Draw the bearing of 150 150˚
W A
degrees and show the E
distance of 90 km

90
km
- Show movement south
and then east
B C
S
 EXAMPLE #1

(a) Calculate the distance travelled south and east by a

ship sailing on a bearing of 150˚ for 90 km.
Solution (A):
Calculate the distance travelled south
  𝑎𝑑𝑗
𝐶𝑂𝑆 𝜃=
h𝑦𝑝  𝐴𝐵=90 × 𝐶𝑂𝑆 30 °

 
𝐶𝑂𝑆 30 °=
𝐴𝐵  𝐴𝐵=90 × 0.866
90
 𝐴𝐵=77.94 𝑘𝑚

 𝐴𝐵=77.9 𝑘𝑚(𝐶𝑂𝑅𝑅𝐸𝐶𝑇 𝑇𝑂 3 𝑆 . 𝐹 .)

𝐻𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸
  𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝑇𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸𝐿𝐿𝐸𝐷 𝑆𝑂𝑈𝑇𝐻 =77.9 𝑘𝑚
 EXAMPLE #1

(a) Calculate the distance travelled south and east by a

ship sailing on a bearing of 150˚ for 90 km.
Solution (A):
Calculate the distance travelled east
  𝜃= 𝑜𝑝𝑝
𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝐵𝐶
h𝑦𝑝   =90 ×𝑆𝑖𝑛 30 °

  30° = 𝐵𝐶 𝐵𝐶
  =90 ×0.5
𝑆𝑖𝑛
90

77.9 km
𝐵𝐶
  =45 𝑘𝑚

𝐻𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸
  𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝑇𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸𝐿𝐿𝐸𝐷 𝐸𝐴𝑆𝑇 =45 𝑘𝑚
 EXAMPLE #1

Please note that given that you know both

the hypotenuse and adjacent, other
methods such as Pythagoras theorem or
tan ratio can be used to find BC
 EXAMPLE #2

(a)Determine the distance travelled north and west by a

yacht sailing on a bearing of 310˚ for 75 km.
N
Solution (A):
Draw diagram based on
information given.
- Draw the bearing of 310 degrees C B
and show the distance of 75 km 75
k m
- Show movement North and then
West W
A E

310˚
S
 EXAMPLE #2

(a) Determine the distance travelled north and west by a

yacht sailing on a bearing of 310˚ for 75 km.

Solution (A):
Calculate the distance travelled north
  𝑎𝑑𝑗  𝐴𝐵=75 ×𝐶𝑂𝑆 50°
𝐶𝑂𝑆 𝜃=
h𝑦𝑝
 𝐴𝐵=75 ×0.643
  𝐴𝐵
𝐶𝑂𝑆 50 °=  𝐴𝐵=48.225 𝑘𝑚
75

 𝐴𝐵=48.2 𝑘𝑚(𝐶𝑂𝑅𝑅𝐸𝐶𝑇 𝑇𝑂 3 𝑆 . 𝐹 .)

𝐻𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸
  𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝑇𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸𝐿𝐿𝐸𝐷 𝑁𝑂𝑅𝑇𝐻 =48.2 𝑘𝑚
 EXAMPLE #2
(a) Determine the distance travelled north and west by a
yacht sailing on a bearing of 310˚ for 75 km.

Solution (A):
Calculate the distance travelled west
  𝜃= 𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝐵𝐶
  =75 × 𝑆𝑖𝑛 50 °
𝑆𝑖𝑛
h𝑦𝑝
𝐵𝐶
  =75 × 0.766
  50° = 𝐵𝐶
𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝐵𝐶
75   =57.45 𝑘𝑚

𝐵𝐶
  =57.5 𝑘𝑚(𝐶𝑂𝑅𝑅𝐸𝐶𝑇 𝑇𝑂 3 𝑆 . 𝐹 .)

𝐻𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸
  𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇𝐴𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝑇𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸𝐿𝐿𝐸𝐷 𝑊𝐸𝑆𝑇 =57.5 𝑘𝑚
 EXAMPLE #2

(B) Hence determine the bearing that takes the ship

back to the starting point. N

𝐶𝑂
  − 𝐼𝑁𝑇𝐸𝑅𝐼𝑂𝑅 𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐿𝐸𝑆 𝑆𝑈𝑀 𝑇𝑂 180 °
180
  °−50 ° =130°

 
 ACTIVITY

Determine
  the bearings on which a ship sails from a point if it finishes east and south
 N

B C

45˚ 165 km

W E
A

S
 N

158˚
W E
A
95
mk

B C
S
 N

230˚
W A E

k m
65

C B
S
 N

150˚
N

90
km
W E A

B C
S
 N

150˚
N

90
km
W E A

B C
S
 N

150˚
N

90
km
W E A

B C
S
 EXAMPLE#3: MAY 2004

i. Draw a diagram to represent the information given below.

Show clearly the north line in your diagram.

 Town is east of town .

Town is on a bearing of from town .
The distance from to is .

  ii. Calculate to the nearest kilometre, the actual distance .

iii. Calculate, to the nearest degree, the bearing of from
H
N
N

65
  𝑘𝑚
  0
40
G
50𝑘𝑚
  F
 EXAMPLE#3: MAY 2004

  ii. Calculate to the nearest kilometre, the actual distance .

iii. Calculate, to the nearest degree, the bearing of from
Solution
  (ii)
Using determine the actual distance of GH.

Apply Cosine rule:

H Substitute into the formula

N
N

65
  𝑘𝑚
  0
40
G
50𝑘𝑚
  F
 EXAMPLE#3: MAY 2004

ii. Calculate to the nearest kilometre, the actual distance . Solution

  (iii)
  Determine the bearing of from
iii. Calculate, to the nearest degree, the bearing of from
Using determine the size of angle

of
g
r i n is Apply Sine rule:
a G
b e m gl e
e o
Th H fr s an
Substitute into the formula
i H
th N
N
1  04 𝑘𝑚
65
  𝑘𝑚
Bearing of H from G (comp. angles)
  0
40 (3 digits)
G
50𝑘𝑚
  F
EXAMPLE#4: MAY 2009

Solution (i)

  0
80

  0
25
EXAMPLE#4: MAY 2009
Solution (ii - a)

 800
0
100
 
0
25
 
 250

X
 
(alternate angles (Z-angles) are equal)

(Angle NPX is a straight angle = )

 EXAMPLE#4: MAY 2009

0 7  00 𝑘𝑚
 80
0  Solution (ii - b)
100
  Using determine the length of .
𝑘𝑚

0
25
 
4  00

 250
Apply Cosine rule:

Substitute into the formula

X
 Solution (ii - c)
 Determine
EXAMPLE#4: the bearing of from

MAY 2009 Apply Sine rule:

Substitute into the formula

Bearing of from
(3 digits)

Solution (ii)

  0
80
  0
100
0
25
 
  0
25

X
EXAMPLE#5: MAY 2011
 EXAMPLE#5: MAY 2011

 Solution: (i) Solution: (ii)

Using sum of angles on a straight Insert distances on diagram and
line are supplementary, find . find the length of RP

Using
  determine the length of .

Apply Cosine rule:

Substitute into the formula

(3 sig. fig.)
 EXAMPLE#5: MAY 2011

 
Solution (iii) The
  bearing of R from P
Determine the bearing of from ,
Insert the bearing movement on
the diagram of R from P.
Apply Sine rule:

Substitute into the formula

Bearing of from
(3 digits)
 PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

A. January 2008 #11b

B. June 2009#11a HOMEWORK
C. January 2010#11a
D. June 2010#11b
E. January 2011 #11b