Where bearings are given, they are in degrees East of North (so North is 000 ∘ , East is 090 ∘ , South is 180 ∘ and West is 270 ∘ ).

Question

For the purposes of this exercise, assume that the Earth is flat. Eric the Explorer walks 35km on a bearing of 075 ∘ . How far East is he compared to his original position?

Answer 1

His position east of his starting point would be the component of his displacement in the easterly direction.

This is obtained by the expression 75 km x cos 15 ° = 72 km.