Introduction GCSE Geometry and Loci And
Bearings
Maths Measure Construction
What are bearings?
How to draw bearings
Bearings
Bearings maths worksheet
Here we will learn about bearings, including measuring
Bearings maths
bearings, drawing bearings and calculating bearings.
examples (drawing)
How to calculate bearings There are also bearings maths worksheets based on Edexcel,
AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on
Bearings maths where to go next if you’re still stuck.
examples (calculating)
Common misconceptions
Practice bearings maths
questions
What are bearings?
Bearings maths GCSE Bearings are angles, measured clockwise from north.
questions
To measure a bearing, we must first know which direction is
Learning checklist
north.
Next lessons
This north direction is usually provided in the maths exam
Still stuck question. We then measure the required angle in a clockwise
direction. All bearings need to be given in three figures, so if
the angle measured is less than 100 degrees, we must start
One to one maths the three-figure bearing with a zero.
interventions built for KS4
success Example:
Weekly online one to one
GCSE maths revision lessons The diagram shows three points A, B and P.
now available
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In order to access this I need
to be confident with:
The angles are measured clockwise from the north line.
Angle rules
Angles in parallel lines The bearing of A from P is 045∘ .
Scale drawing
The bearing of B from P is 260∘ .
Trigonometry
Bearings are used by sailors and pilots to describe the direction
they are travelling. They are also used on land by hikers and
the military.
This topic is relevant for:
Introduction
What are bearings?
What are bearings?
How to draw bearings
Bearings maths worksheet
Bearings maths
examples (drawing)
How to calculate bearings How to draw bearings
Bearings maths
examples (calculating)
In order to draw bearings:
1 Locate the point you are measuring the bearing from and
Common misconceptions
draw a north line if there is not already one given.
Practice bearings maths
questions 2 Using your protractor, place the zero of the scale on the
north line and measure the required angle clockwise, make a
Bearings maths GCSE
questions mark on your page at the angle needed.
Learning checklist 3 Draw a line from the start point in the direction of the
bearing. If you are producing a scale drawing and know the
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distance to locate a point use this scale appropriately.
Still stuck
Explain how to draw
bearings
Bearings maths
worksheet
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worksheet of 20+ questions and
answers. Includes reasoning and
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Related lessons on loci and constructions
Bearings is part of our series of lessons to support revision
on loci and construction. You may find it helpful to start with
the main loci and construction lesson for a summary of what to
expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail
on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:
Loci and construction
Loci
Constructions
Perpendicular bisector
Angle bisector
Constructing triangles
How to draw a hexagon
How to construct a 30, 60, 45, 90 degree angle
Constructions between points and lines
Bearings maths examples
(drawing)
Example 1: drawing a bearing less than
180°
Draw a bearing of 050∘
1 Locate the point you are measuring the bearing from and
draw a north line if there is not already one given.
2 Using your protractor, place the zero of the scale on the
north line and measure the required angle clockwise, make a
mark on your page at the angle needed.
3 Draw a line from the start point in the direction of the
bearing. If you are producing a scale drawing and know the
distance to locate a point use this scale appropriately.
Example 2: drawing a bearing more than
180°
Draw a bearing of 300∘
Locate the point you are measuring the bearing from and
1
draw a north line if there is not already one given.
Show step
Using your protractor, place the zero of the scale on the
2
north line and measure the required angle clockwise,
make a mark on your page at the angle needed.
Show step
Draw a line from the start point in the direction of the
3
bearing. If you are producing a scale drawing and know
the distance to locate a point use this scale
appropriately.
Show step
Example 3: drawing a scale drawing with
a bearing
Make a scale drawing of a point Q 8km away from a point P on
a bearing of 110∘ from P, using a scale of 1cm : 2km.
Locate the point you are measuring the bearing from and
1
draw a north line if there is not already one given.
Show step
Using your protractor, place the zero of the scale on the
2
north line and measure the required angle clockwise,
make a mark on your page at the angle needed.
Show step
Draw a line from the start point in the direction of the
3
bearing. If you are producing a scale drawing and know
the distance to locate a point use this scale
appropriately.
Show step
How to calculate bearings
In order to calculate bearings:
1 Locate the points you are calculating the bearing from
and to.
2 Using the north lines for reference at both points, use
angle rules and/or trigonometry to calculate any angles that
are required.
3 Read off the three-figure bearing required.
How to calculate bearings
Bearings maths examples
(calculating)
Example 1: calculating a bearing around a
point
Calculate the bearing of A from P.
Locate the points you are calculating the bearing from
1
and to.
Show step
Using the north lines for reference at both points, use
2
angle rules and/or trigonometry to calculate any angles
that are required.
Show step
Read off the three-figure bearing required.
3
Hide Step
The bearing of A from P is 233∘ .
Example 2: calculating a back bearing
The bearing of B from A is 070∘ . Calculate the bearing of A
from B.
Locate the points you are calculating the bearing from
1
and to.
Show step
Using the north lines for reference at both points, use
2
angle rules and/or trigonometry to calculate any angles
that are required.
Show step
Read off the three-figure bearing required.
3
Show step
Example 3: calculate a bearing using
SOHCAHTOA
A ship sails 7km due east from a point P to point A. It then
sails 3km due south from A to point B. Calculate the bearing
of B from P.
Locate the points you are calculating the bearing from
1
and to.
Show step
Using the north lines for reference at both points, use
2
angle rules and/or trigonometry to calculate any angles
that are required.
Show step
Read off the three-figure bearing required.
3
Show step
Common misconceptions
Not giving bearings less than 100∘ in three figures
E.g.
A bearing with an angle of 45∘ must be given as 045∘ .
Using the anticlockwise angle as the bearing
A common error is to use the anticlockwise angle as the
bearing.
E.g.
The bearing of B from A is 080∘ , a common mistake would be
to use the co-interior angle as the back bearing of A from B as
100∘ , calculating clockwise, the bearing of A from B should be
260∘ .
Practice bearings maths questions
1. Which of the diagrams shows a bearing of 040∘ ?
2. Which of the diagrams shows a bearing of 290∘ ?
3. What bearing describes due east?
090∘
90∘
270∘
180∘
4. Calculate the bearing of A from P.
125∘
055∘
305∘
235∘
5. The bearing of C from B is 130∘ . Calculate the bearing of B
from C.
050∘
310∘
130∘
230∘
