Application of trigonometry in Navigation
Introduction :
Trigonometry in the form of triangulation is at the heart of navigation,
whether it is by land, sea, or air. GPS systems use triangulation to find and
fix positions, extrapolating what is unknown from what is known.
Triangulation is also used to measure the distances between earth and
distant stars and galaxies, thus aiding future space travel.
*Trigonometry: The Navigator’s Best Friend*
🔺 Trigonometry is a powerful branch of mathematics that deals with the
relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. 📐 For navigators,
these concepts are like hidden treasures, as they enable them to calculate
distances, angles, and locations with ease.
Trigonometry on Land
The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and other ancient civilizations developed methods to
measure triangles accurately. The Egyptians used principles of trigonometry to build
the Pyramids, while the Greeks developed extensive geometric and trigonometric
proofs and applied them to many surveying and navigational problems. If the
measurement of two angles are known, the third can always be calculated. The
tangent of a right triangle can also be used to calculate valuable distances such as
the height of a tall tree or of a mountain.
Navigation by Sea
Navigation by sea is complicated by large distances without landmarks in open
ocean. The principles of trigonometry and triangulation apply. For most of the time
humanity has moved through water for long distances, the only landmarks have
been the positions of the sun by day and the stars by night. Those angles and
distances can be measured accurately by using devices such as the marine sextant
(for angles) and the chronometer (for the exact time that measurements are taken).
Navigation by sea is based upon spherical trigonometry. The exact position of a ship
can be determined by the angle the celestial body makes with the horizon,
measured at a precise time. The angle and precise time measurements are
compared with tables of known values.
*Compasses: Trigonometry’s Ancient Tool*
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows four direction points. Before the compass, the position and
direction at sea was done by the sighting of landmarks and celestial bodies ( stars). Trigonometry is fundamental
to navigation. Trigonometry is used extensively in calculations referring to Cartesian coordinates. Cartesian
coordinates are used to represent North, South, East and West directions. Through the use of Trigonometry the
distance between objects, the required direction and a vessel’s or aircraft’s bearings can be calculated.
*Geocaching: A Treasure Hunt with Trigonometry*.
🌍 Geocaching combines adventure and technology, as enthusiasts use
GPS coordinates and trigonometry to search for hidden treasures all
around the world. We’ll dive into the thrilling world of geocaching and
how trigonometry turns it into an exciting global treasure hunt.
What are bearings?
In marine navigation, a bearing is the direction one object is from another object, usually, the
direction of an object from one’s own vessel. In aircraft navigation, a bearing is the actual compass
direction of the forward course of the aircraft. In land navigation, a bearing is the angle between a
line connecting two points. Bearings is usually measured in degrees.
Types of bearings include:
•True bearings/ Three-figure bearings
•Magnetic bearings
•Compass bearings
•Grid bearings
Trigonometry in action
A plane leaves an airport and flies 600 km on a bearing of 145°
a)How far south of the airport is the plane?
Let x = distance south and missing angle in SAP = 35°
Cos 35° = x
600
x = 600 cos 35°
x = 491 Km
Therefore the plane is 491 km south of the airport
