Measuring anticlockwise instead of clockwise
"The Wrong Direction"
The Mistake in Action
The angle from North to the direction of B (going anticlockwise) is 60°. State the bearing.
Wrong: Bearing = 060°
Why It Happens
Students measure the angle correctly but go anticlockwise, or they don't realise bearings must always be measured clockwise.
The Fix
Bearings are always measured clockwise from North.
If the anticlockwise angle is 60°, then the clockwise angle (the bearing) is: $$360° - 60° = 300°$$
Bearing = 300°
Visual check: East is 090°, so anything between North and East should be between 000° and 090°. If your answer doesn't fit where the direction actually points, check your direction!
Spot the Mistake
Can you identify where this student went wrong?
Anticlockwise angle from North = 60°
Bearing = 060°
Click on the line that contains the error.
Related Topics
Learn more about the underlying maths: