New
New
Year 10
Foundation

Finding a bearing

I can find a bearing between the points on a map or scaled plan.

New
New
Year 10
Foundation

Finding a bearing

I can find a bearing between the points on a map or scaled plan.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. If the map is to scale, then you can use a protractor to measure the bearing.
  2. If the map is not to scale, you may need to use angle facts.
  3. 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.

A fun task is to encourage pupils to create their own treasure map with key positions plotted. Pupils create their own clues to find the treasure. Once complete, pupils swap their maps to find the treasure!
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is not a convention for bearings?
They are measured from north.
Correct answer: They are given exactly the same as the measured angle.
Correct answer: They are measured in an anticlockwise direction.
Q2.
Which of the following are correctly written as bearings?
0324°
Correct answer: 200°
Correct answer: 101°
51°
Correct answer: 005°
Q3.
Which of the following shows the bearing of B from A correctly marked?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
What is 3 km away from the volcano on a bearing of 300°?
An image in a quiz
Church
Boat
Lighthouse
Tree
Correct answer: Teepee
Q5.
A diver is on a bearing of 120° and 4 km away from the boat. Which is the correct position of the diver?
An image in a quiz
A
B
Correct answer: C
D
E
Q6.
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?
An image in a quiz
a
Correct answer: b
c

6 Questions

Q1.
Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?
An image in a quiz
49°
Correct answer: 049°
131°
490°
131
Q2.
Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 039°
39°
141°
151°
Q3.
Using the image, what is the bearing from X to Y?
An image in a quiz
070°
110°
250°
Correct answer: 290°
Q4.
Using the image, what is the bearing from X to Y?
An image in a quiz
080°
100°
Correct answer: 260°
280°
Q5.
Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?
An image in a quiz
157°
193°
Correct answer: 203°
224°
Q6.
Using the image, what is the bearing from A to B?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 106°, 106, 106 degrees