How Do I Calculate Bearings in Math?

The cardinal points of the compass, of which there are 32 in total, can be used to describe the direction between two points. However, there are occasions when even 32 cardinal points are not enough to provide adequate precision for navigators, so they use bearings instead.

Calculation

In order to calculate a bearing, the compass is split into 360 degrees; this provides the same level of accuracy as when measuring angles. Bearings are traditionally quoted as a three-figure angle measured clockwise from north.

Cardinal Point Bearings

Due north has a bearing of 0 degrees, due east a bearing of 90 degrees, due south a bearing of 180 degrees and due west a bearing of 270 degrees. It naturally follows that northeast, which is halfway between due north and due east, has a bearing of 45 degrees and so on for the other cardinal points.

Benefits

The advantage of using bearings rather than cardinal compass points for navigation is speed and accuracy. A bearing of, say, 208 degrees does not readily translate into a compass point, and the same is true of many other intermediate bearings.

References

• Absorb: Compass Points
• Scouting Resources: Compass Basics
• UNH Mathematics Center: Directions as Bearings