Bearings
Bearings
- A bearing gives a direction as a three-figure angle, measured clockwise from north ($000^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ}$).
- Due east is $090^{\circ}$, due south is $180^{\circ}$, due west is $270^{\circ}$.
- Always write three figures: $5^{\circ}$ becomes $005^{\circ}$.
Practice
What three-figure bearing points due east?
Clockwise from north, east is 090°.
Practice
Bearings are measured clockwise from north.
Always clockwise from north, written as three figures.
Back bearings
- The back bearing (return direction) differs by $180^{\circ}$.
- If the bearing is under $180^{\circ}$, add $180^{\circ}$; if over, subtract $180^{\circ}$.
- Worked example: bearing of $B$ from $A$ is $025^{\circ}$ → bearing of $A$ from $B$ is $025 + 180 = 205^{\circ}$.
Practice
The bearing of B from A is 025°. What is the bearing of A from B?
Back bearing: 025 + 180 = 205°.
You've got it
Key idea
- a bearing is three figures, measured clockwise from north
- east $090^{\circ}$, south $180^{\circ}$, west $270^{\circ}$
- back bearing differs by $180^{\circ}$ (add or subtract)