---
title: "Bearings and Scale Drawings"
description: "Describe a direction as a three-figure bearing measured clockwise from north, and use a scale drawing to move between a plan and real distances."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/bearings-and-scale-drawings-mt_9q32jC0Fk_
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/bearings-and-scale-drawings-mt_9q32jC0Fk_.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Bearings and Scale Drawings

Describe a direction as a three-figure bearing measured clockwise from north, and use a scale drawing to move between a plan and real distances.

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Geometry · Ages 14 to 15
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/bearings-and-scale-drawings-mt_9q32jC0Fk_

## Ready when they can

- Measure and write a bearing as three figures, including bearings past 180 degrees
- Find the back bearing of a stated direction and justify the calculation
- Construct a scale drawing from bearings and distances, then read a real distance off it

## Lesson: Bearings and the walk they draw

A bearing is a direction counted clockwise from north, always in three figures. Due east is 090 degrees, south is 180 degrees, and anything past 180 keeps its digits, like 200 degrees.

There-and-back legs differ by half a turn, which is 180 degrees. If the bearing is below 180, add 180 for the way back. If it is past 180, subtract 180 instead.

**Example.** Draw a scale leg in three moves: rule a north line, turn clockwise to the bearing, then draw the scaled length. A 4 km leg due east at 1 cm to 1 km draws 4 cm. A 6 cm leg at 1 cm to 2 km stands for 12 km sailed.

**Tip.** Give every bearing three figures, even small ones. A bearing of 60 degrees is written 060 degrees. Missing that leading zero is the classic lost mark.

**Recap.** Count clockwise from north in three figures, reverse with half a turn, and let the scale turn centimetres into kilometres.

## Practice

17 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Scale drawings and maps](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/scale-drawings-and-maps-mt_1badik7iKJ)
- [Accurate drawing and scale diagrams](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/accurate-drawing-and-scale-diagrams-mt_Jf8xcX4UTq)

## Opens up

- [Bearing Problems with the Sine and Cosine Rules](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/bearing-problems-with-the-sine-and-cosine-rules-mt_YQFdU4aiFP)