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Level 5-6 Shapes - Bearings
What bearing would you be walking on if you were heading east?

Level 5-6 Shapes - Bearings

Bearings tell us directions using three-digit angles from north. Learn how to read, measure, and calculate bearings in maps and navigation.

Fascinating Fact:

The bearing between two towns can be found using coordinates and trigonometry, a real-world link between algebra and geometry.

In KS3 Maths, bearings use angles measured clockwise from north to describe direction. You will practise reading bearings on diagrams, calculating missing angles, and solving map and navigation problems.

  • Bearing: A three-digit angle measured clockwise from north, such as 045° or 230°.
  • North line: A reference line pointing north used to measure bearings.
  • Clockwise: The direction of a clock’s hands, the way bearings are measured from north.
How do you write a bearing in KS3 Maths?

Write bearings as three digits measured clockwise from north. For example, 45 degrees is written as 045°, and 7 degrees is written as 007°.

What is the difference between direction and bearing?

Direction is a general idea like north-east. A bearing is precise, giving the exact clockwise angle from north, such as 065°.

How do I find a bearing between two points on a diagram?

Draw a north line at the start point, join the points, then measure the clockwise angle from the north line to the line you drew.

1 .
'The direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies' describes what?
Bearing
Direction
Instruction
North
For a bearing of 090 degrees imagine a line running from the centre of a clock face, through 3 o'clock and continuing in that direction. All points on this line have a bearing of 090 degrees to you
2 .
One way of describing direction from a point is to use what?
3-figure bearings
An arrow
Good directions
Hand signals
All bearings have 3 figures. So, an angle of 43o would be written as 043o
3 .
Bearings are measured from which line?
East line
North line
South line
Start line
A compass always points north. Bearings are measured from the north line
4 .
A complete circle has how many degrees?
90o
180o
270o
360o
The angle between the north line and the direction taken is the bearing
5 .
Bearings are always measured in which direction?
Anti-clockwise
Clockwise
Downwards
Upwards
90 degrees (90o) is east (think 3 on a clock), 180o is south (think 6 on a clock), west is 270o (9 on a clock) and north is 360o (12 on a clock)
6 .
What bearing would you be walking on if you were heading east?
030o
045o
060o
090o
Make all bearings into 3-figure bearings. 90o becomes 090o, 9o becomes 009o
7 .
How many degrees would you turn when changing from a northerly heading to a southerly heading?
90o
180o
270o
360o
North to south is the same as 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock - half a rotation or 180o
8 .
You are facing south and want to face west. Which way and by how many degrees would you turn?
60o to your left
90o to your left
90o to your right
180o in either direction
All bearings are measured clockwise which means turning to the right
9 .
If a ship is on a bearing of 020o from a lighthouse, what is the bearing of the lighthouse from the ship?
120o
200o
220o
280o
This is called finding the back bearing of 020o
10 .
What is the back bearing of the bearing 245o
165o
310o
360o
65o
If the bearing is more than 180 then deduct 180 to find the back bearing
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Three-figure bearings

Author:  Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)

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