Education Technology

Mathematics lessons for IB® Diploma Programme

Applications and Interpretation | Geometry and Trigonometry

Can You Find Your Bearings?

Objectives

  • Students will explore the definition of a bearing and how to represent it in a diagram given written details.
  • Students will be asked to use their knowledge of bearings to find distances and angles in several differing scenarios.
  • Students will try to make a connection with how to understand these topics in IB Mathematics courses and on their final assessments.

Vocabulary

  • Bearings
  • Supplementary Angles
  • Clockwise

About the lesson

In mathematics, a bearing is the angle in degrees measured clockwise from the north. Bearings are usually given as a three-figure bearing. For example, 30° clockwise from the north is usually written as 030°. Bearings are commonly used when traveling by plane, boat, or just navigating a hike.