Question 2, 2.5.11

Part 1 of 2

The two methods of expressing bearing can be interpreted using a rectangular coordinate system. Suppose that an observer for a radar station is located at the origin of a coordinate system. Find the bearing of an airplane located at the point (16, 0). Express the bearing using both methods.

One expression for the bearing uses a single angle measure. The bearing using this method is __________. (Type an integer or a decimal.)



Answer :

To determine the bearing of an airplane located at the point (16,0) from an observer at the origin (0,0), we need to establish its direction relative to cardinal directions (North, East, South, West).

1. Understanding the Point's Position:
- The point (16,0) lies on the positive x-axis.
- This indicates that the airplane is directly to the east of the observer.

2. Standard Bearing:
- In standard navigation, the bearing is measured clockwise from the North direction (0° or 360°).
- Since the airplane is directly to the east, this direction corresponds to a 90° clockwise rotation from North.

Thus, the bearing of the airplane located at the point (16,0) expressed in standard bearing is:
[tex]\[ \text{Bearing} = 90^\circ \][/tex]

3. Cartesian Coordinate Bearing (Compass Convention):
- In some contexts, particularly maritime and aviation, bearings are given relative to the North direction, also measured clockwise.
- For the point (16,0), this remains the same since it is a straightforward eastward direction.

Therefore, the bearing of the airplane in this method is also:
[tex]\[ \text{Bearing} = 90^\circ \][/tex]

Thus, the bearing of the airplane located at the point (16,0) is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{0.0^\circ} \][/tex]

This concludes the bearing using both single angle measure and its interpretation on a rectangular coordinate system.