MCQs / Mathematics / Bearing

Bearing MCQs — Mathematics

63 multiple-choice questions on Bearing from Mathematics, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.

1. The three-figure bearing of due west is:

  1. 000^circ
  2. 225^circ
  3. 270^circ
  4. 090^circ

Answer: C) 270^circ

Explanation: Bearings are measured clockwise from north: N = 000^circ, E = 090^circ, S = 180^circ, W = 270^circ. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

2. To find the distance north travelled on a bearing theta (less than 90^circ) for a distance d, we use:

  1. dcostheta
  2. dcostheta
  3. dsintheta
  4. dtantheta

Answer: A) dcostheta

Explanation: The angle theta is measured from north, so the north component is adjacent to it. SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

3. A plane flies 10 2 km on a bearing of 045^circ. How far north has it travelled?

  1. 10 2 km
  2. 102 km
  3. 10 km
  4. 20 km

Answer: C) 10 km

Explanation: North = 10 2 cos 45^circ = 10 2 1 2 = 10 km. SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

4. With north along the positive y-axis, the bearing of the point (3, 3) from the origin is:

  1. 315^circ
  2. 225^circ
  3. 045^circ
  4. 135^circ

Answer: C) 045^circ

Explanation: Measure clockwise from north (the positive y-axis): 045^circ. SLO M-09-B-26 · Understanding

Discuss this question

5. The compass direction N,70^circ, W written as a three-figure bearing is:

  1. 070^circ
  2. 020^circ
  3. 290^circ
  4. 110^circ

Answer: C) 290^circ

Explanation: Start at north and turn clockwise: N,70^circ, W = 290^circ. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

6. With north along the positive y-axis, the bearing of the point (-2, 2) from the origin is:

  1. 331^circ
  2. 045^circ
  3. 135^circ
  4. 315^circ

Answer: D) 315^circ

Explanation: Measure clockwise from north (the positive y-axis): 315^circ. SLO M-09-B-26 · Understanding

Discuss this question

7. A bearing of 090^circ means facing:

  1. due east
  2. due south
  3. due north
  4. due west

Answer: A) due east

Explanation: Turning 90^circ clockwise from north faces east. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

8. The compass direction S,65^circ, E written as a three-figure bearing is:

  1. 295^circ
  2. 205^circ
  3. 245^circ
  4. 115^circ

Answer: D) 115^circ

Explanation: Start at north and turn clockwise: S,65^circ, E = 115^circ. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

9. The compass direction N,40^circ, E written as a three-figure bearing is:

  1. 220^circ
  2. 040^circ
  3. 320^circ
  4. 130^circ

Answer: B) 040^circ

Explanation: Start at north and turn clockwise: N,40^circ, E = 040^circ. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

10. A ship is 8 km east and 8 3 km north of a port. The bearing of the ship from the port is:

  1. 060^circ
  2. 120^circ
  3. 300^circ
  4. 030^circ

Answer: D) 030^circ

Explanation: tantheta = east north = 88 3 = 1 3, so theta = 30^circ. SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

11. With north along the positive y-axis, the bearing of the point (-4, -4) from the origin is:

  1. 315^circ
  2. 225^circ
  3. 135^circ
  4. 045^circ

Answer: B) 225^circ

Explanation: Measure clockwise from north (the positive y-axis): 225^circ. SLO M-09-B-26 · Understanding

Discuss this question

12. With north along the positive y-axis, the bearing of the point (0, -7) from the origin is:

  1. 270^circ
  2. 000^circ
  3. 225^circ
  4. 180^circ

Answer: D) 180^circ

Explanation: Measure clockwise from north (the positive y-axis): 180^circ. SLO M-09-B-26 · Understanding

Discuss this question

13. A ship sailing on a bearing of 070^circ turns 90^circ clockwise. Its new bearing is:

  1. 090^circ
  2. 160^circ
  3. 168^circ
  4. 340^circ

Answer: B) 160^circ

Explanation: Add 90^circ: 160^circ (keeping the answer between 000^circ and 360^circ). SLO M-09-B-26 · Understanding

Discuss this question

14. The bearing of B from A is 210^circ. The bearing of A from B is:

  1. 150^circ
  2. 120^circ
  3. 030^circ
  4. 300^circ

Answer: C) 030^circ

Explanation: Back bearing = 210^circ - 180^circ = 030^circ. SLO M-09-B-26 · Understanding

Discuss this question

15. A bearing of 160^circ points between:

  1. west and north
  2. east and south
  3. north and east
  4. south and west

Answer: B) east and south

Explanation: 090^circ is east and 180^circ is south. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

16. A car drives 6 km south and then 6 km east. Its bearing from the start is:

  1. 135^circ
  2. 225^circ
  3. 315^circ
  4. 045^circ

Answer: A) 135^circ

Explanation: Equal distances south and east give south-east, 135^circ. SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

17. A ship sails 20 km on a bearing of 035^circ. Using sin 35^circ approx 0.574 and cos 35^circ approx 0.819, it is about:

  1. 16.4 km south and 11.5 km east
  2. 11.5 km north and 16.4 km east
  3. 20 km north and 0 km east
  4. 16.4 km north and 11.5 km east

Answer: D) 16.4 km north and 11.5 km east

Explanation: North = 20cos 35^circ approx 16.4 km; east = 20sin 35^circ approx 11.5 km. SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

18. A hiker walks 8 km north and then 15 km east. Her distance and bearing from the start are:

  1. 17 km on a bearing of about 028.1^circ
  2. 17 km on a bearing of about 061.9^circ
  3. 17 km on a bearing of about 241.9^circ
  4. 23 km on a bearing of about 061.9^circ

Answer: B) 17 km on a bearing of about 061.9^circ

Explanation: Distance = 8^2 + 15^2 = 17 km. Bearing = tan^-1 158 approx 61.9^circ (measured from north). SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

19. The three-figure bearing of due east is:

  1. 090^circ
  2. 270^circ
  3. 045^circ
  4. 135^circ

Answer: A) 090^circ

Explanation: Bearings are measured clockwise from north: N = 000^circ, E = 090^circ, S = 180^circ, W = 270^circ. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

20. A plane flies 100 km on a bearing of 180^circ and then 100 km on a bearing of 270^circ. Its bearing from the start is:

  1. 315^circ
  2. 045^circ
  3. 135^circ
  4. 225^circ

Answer: D) 225^circ

Explanation: It is south-west of the start, equal distances south and west. SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

21. A ship sails 12 km on a bearing of 150^circ. How far east of its start is it?

  1. 6 3 km
  2. 12 km
  3. 12 3 km
  4. 6 km

Answer: D) 6 km

Explanation: The angle from the south–south line is 30^circ, so east = 12sin 30^circ = 12 12 = 6 km (and it is 6 3 km south). SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

22. The bearing of B from A is 015^circ. The bearing of A from B is:

  1. 345^circ
  2. 105^circ
  3. 195^circ
  4. 165^circ

Answer: C) 195^circ

Explanation: Back bearing = 15^circ + 180^circ = 195^circ. SLO M-09-B-26 · Understanding

Discuss this question

23. Two boats leave a harbour. One sails 6 km on a bearing of 030^circ and the other 8 km on a bearing of 120^circ. How far apart are they?

  1. 2 km
  2. 14 km
  3. 10 km
  4. 12 km

Answer: C) 10 km

Explanation: The angle between the bearings is 120^circ - 30^circ = 90^circ, so the distance is 6^2 + 8^2 = 10 km. SLO M-09-B-27 · Application

Discuss this question

24. Bearings can take values from:

  1. 000^circ to 360^circ
  2. -90^circ to 90^circ
  3. 000^circ to 180^circ
  4. 000^circ to 090^circ

Answer: A) 000^circ to 360^circ

Explanation: A full turn clockwise from north. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

25. The three-figure bearing of due south-east is:

  1. 045^circ
  2. 000^circ
  3. 135^circ
  4. 180^circ

Answer: C) 135^circ

Explanation: Bearings are measured clockwise from north: N = 000^circ, E = 090^circ, S = 180^circ, W = 270^circ. SLO M-09-B-25 · Knowledge

Discuss this question

Page 1 of 3 Next

Practise Bearing MCQs

More Mathematics chapters