Three-figure bearings

Imagine that you are in a boat at sea. You are lost and you cannot see any land.

You radio for help and are told to sail at a bearing of \(125^{\circ}\). What does this mean?

A bearing is a direction. It is always measured clockwise from North.

The bearing \(125^{\circ}\) is shown in the diagram below.

In real life you would have to use a compass to find North and then the direction \(125^{\circ}\).

Angles of less than \(100^{\circ}\) are written with a '\(0\)' in front, to make them a 3-figure bearing. For example, \(060^{\circ}\), \(021^{\circ}\).

The points of the compass can be written as 3-figure bearings:

North	\(000^{\circ}\)
North East	\(045^{\circ}\)
East	\(090^{\circ}\)
South East	\(135^{\circ}\)
South	\(180^{\circ}\)
South West	\(225^{\circ}\)
West	\(270^{\circ}\)
North West	\(315^{\circ}\)

North

\(000^{\circ}\)

North East

\(045^{\circ}\)

East

\(090^{\circ}\)

South East

\(135^{\circ}\)

South

\(180^{\circ}\)

South West

\(225^{\circ}\)

West

\(270^{\circ}\)

North West

\(315^{\circ}\)

There is no need to memorise these but you should be aware of the steps of \(45\,degrees\).

In navigation on sea, land or air it is three figure bearings that are used more often than the points of the compass. However you should know both methods.