Finding a bearing | Maths | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Which of the following is not a convention for bearings?

They are measured from north.

They are given exactly the same as the measured angle. ✓

They are measured in an anticlockwise direction. ✓
Which of the following are correctly written as bearings?

0324°

200° ✓

101° ✓

51°

005° ✓
Which of the following shows the bearing of B from A correctly marked?
What is 3 km away from the volcano on a bearing of 300°?

Church

Boat

Lighthouse

Tree

Teepee ✓
A diver is on a bearing of 120° and 4 km away from the boat. Which is the correct position of the diver?

A

B

C ✓

D

E
Point X is 4 km away from point A on a bearing of 240° and point Y is 5 km away from point X on a bearing of 120°. Which is the correct position of point Y?

a

b ✓

c

Exit quiz

Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?

49°

049° ✓

131°

490°

131
Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?

039° ✓

39°

141°

151°
Using the image, what is the bearing from X to Y?

070°

110°

250°

290° ✓
Using the image, what is the bearing from X to Y?

080°

100°

260° ✓

280°
Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?

157°

193°

203° ✓

224°
Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?

'106°' ✓

Worksheet

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Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

If the map is to scale, then you can use a protractor to measure the bearing.
If the map is not to scale, you may need to use angle facts.
North is always the same direction which means you have parallel lines.

Common misconception

Pupils do not measure the angle from North and simply measure the angle between two line segments.

Reiterate bearings are always measured from North, in a clockwise direction and stated as 3 figures. Encourage pupils to draw North on the correct position before attempting the question.

Keywords

Transversal - A transversal is a line, line segment, or ray that intersects through two or more lines at distinct (different) points.
Corresponding - Corresponding angles are a pair of angles at different vertices on the same side of a transversal in equivalent positions.
Alternate - Alternate angles are a pair of angles, both between or both outside two line segments, that are on opposite sides of the transversal that cuts them.
Co-interior - Co-interior angles are on the same side of the transversal line and in between the two other lines.
Bearing - A bearing is an angle measured in degrees from North in the clockwise direction and written with three figures.