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Maths Quiz - Level 5-6 Shapes - Bearings (Questions)

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

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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.

Key Terms

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

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.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

'The direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies' describes what?

[ ]	Bearing
[ ]	Direction
[ ]	Instruction
[ ]	North

2.

One way of describing direction from a point is to use what?

[ ]	3-figure bearings
[ ]	An arrow
[ ]	Good directions
[ ]	Hand signals

3.

Bearings are measured from which line?

[ ]	East line
[ ]	North line
[ ]	South line
[ ]	Start line

4.

A complete circle has how many degrees?

[ ]	90^o
[ ]	180^o
[ ]	270^o
[ ]	360^o

5.

Bearings are always measured in which direction?

[ ]	Anti-clockwise
[ ]	Clockwise
[ ]	Downwards
[ ]	Upwards

6.

What bearing would you be walking on if you were heading east?

[ ]	030^o
[ ]	045^o
[ ]	060^o
[ ]	090^o

7.

How many degrees would you turn when changing from a northerly heading to a southerly heading?

[ ]	90^o
[ ]	180^o
[ ]	270^o
[ ]	360^o

8.

You are facing south and want to face west. Which way and by how many degrees would you turn?

[ ]	60^o to your left
[ ]	90^o to your left
[ ]	90^o to your right
[ ]	180^o in either direction

9.

If a ship is on a bearing of 020^o from a lighthouse, what is the bearing of the lighthouse from the ship?

[ ]	120^o
[ ]	200^o
[ ]	220^o
[ ]	280^o

10.

What is the back bearing of the bearing 245^o

[ ]	165^o
[ ]	310^o
[ ]	360^o
[ ]	65^o

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Three-figure bearings

Maths Quiz - Level 5-6 Shapes - Bearings (Answers)

1.

'The direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies' describes what?

[x]	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?

[x]	3-figure bearings
[ ]	An arrow
[ ]	Good directions
[ ]	Hand signals

All bearings have 3 figures. So, an angle of 43^o would be written as 043^o

3.

Bearings are measured from which line?

[ ]	East line
[x]	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?

[ ]	90^o
[ ]	180^o
[ ]	270^o
[x]	360^o

The angle between the north line and the direction taken is the bearing

5.

Bearings are always measured in which direction?

[ ]	Anti-clockwise
[x]	Clockwise
[ ]	Downwards
[ ]	Upwards

90 degrees (90^o) is east (think 3 on a clock), 180^o is south (think 6 on a clock), west is 270^o (9 on a clock) and north is 360^o (12 on a clock)

6.

What bearing would you be walking on if you were heading east?

[ ]	030^o
[ ]	045^o
[ ]	060^o
[x]	090^o

Make all bearings into 3-figure bearings. 90^o becomes 090^o, 9^o becomes 009^o

7.

How many degrees would you turn when changing from a northerly heading to a southerly heading?

[ ]	90^o
[x]	180^o
[ ]	270^o
[ ]	360^o

North to south is the same as 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock - half a rotation or 180^o

8.

You are facing south and want to face west. Which way and by how many degrees would you turn?

[ ]	60^o to your left
[ ]	90^o to your left
[x]	90^o to your right
[ ]	180^o in either direction

All bearings are measured clockwise which means turning to the right

9.

If a ship is on a bearing of 020^o from a lighthouse, what is the bearing of the lighthouse from the ship?

[ ]	120^o
[x]	200^o
[ ]	220^o
[ ]	280^o

This is called finding the back bearing of 020^o

10.

What is the back bearing of the bearing 245^o

[ ]	165^o
[ ]	310^o
[ ]	360^o
[x]	65^o

If the bearing is more than 180 then deduct 180 to find the back bearing