KS3 shapes bearings - finding the way using navigation

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

One of the topics covered when studying shapes in KS3 Maths is bearings. Bearings are angles measured clockwise from the direction of north. We use them for navigation and to help us find our way. Aircraft and ships are both navigated by using bearings and countries would still be waiting to be discovered without them!

Let's imagine a clock face with 12 o'clock representing north and your position being the centre of the dial. 3 o'clock would have a bearing of 090 degrees because it is 90^o from north, in a clockwise direction. 9 o'clock would have a bearing of 270 because it is 270^o from north in a clockwise direction. 6 o'clock would have a bearing of 180 because it is 180^o from north in a clockwise direction. If you ever get stuck with bearings then just remember this clock face.

So, now you can navigate with bearings, let's see if you can find your way to the end of this quiz on the subject. Take your time and read each question carefully. Good luck!.

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

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

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

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

Bearings are measured from which line?

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

A complete circle has how many degrees?

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

Bearings are always measured in which direction?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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