Geometry in Surveying and Navigation
Geometric principles are applied in surveying and navigation to measure distances, areas, and bearings using triangulation, trigonometry, and coordinate systems.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and written as three digits (e.g., 045 degrees)
True bearing uses north as 0 degrees; compass bearing uses N/S and E/W directions
Triangulation uses two known points and measured angles to find the position of an unknown point
Area of an irregular shape can be found using the trapezoidal rule or by dividing into triangles
Contour lines on maps connect points of equal elevation
Key Vocabulary
Bearing
A direction measured as an angle clockwise from north
Triangulation
A method of determining location by measuring angles from two known points
Trapezoidal rule
An approximation method for finding the area under a curve or of an irregular shape
Contour line
A line on a map connecting points of equal elevation
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
A true bearing of 270 degrees points in which direction?
Question 2
Two observers 100 m apart each measure the angle to a distant tree. This technique is called:
Question 3
A bearing of S 45 E is equivalent to which true bearing?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Bearings are measured clockwise from north and written as three digits (e.g., 045 degrees)
- ●True bearing uses north as 0 degrees; compass bearing uses N/S and E/W directions
- ●Triangulation uses two known points and measured angles to find the position of an unknown point
- ●Area of an irregular shape can be found using the trapezoidal rule or by dividing into triangles
- ●Contour lines on maps connect points of equal elevation