Revealing the 'magic' behind GPS and your phone

Activity 2 - Trilateration 2

Visit the 'GeoJavawa' website by clicking on the image. Select item 11 from the dropdown menu (Intersection point of three circles).

Type in the following coordinates:

1. Point A - N 51.52712°, W 3.68012°

2. Point B - N 51.52691°, W 3.67774°

3. Point C - N 51.52855°, W 3.67843°

What place did you manage to trilaterate? Take a screenshot of your map as evidence for your teacher.

Activity 3 (Extension) - Triangulation 1

Triangulation differs from trilateration in that it measures angles, not distances.

Visit the 'GeoJavawa' website again by clicking on the image. Select item 14 from the dropdown menu (Triangulation).

A patient calls for an ambulance but they aren't sure where they are, but they have a compass and can see two local landmarks. They give the description: "I can see the ASDA petrol station in Kenfig Hill on a bearing of __°, and the Kenfig Hill Fire station on a bearing of __°."

Task 1 - Using Google Maps, find the coordinates in decimal degrees to 5 decimal places for points A and B.

Task 2 - Calculate the angle α and β.

Task 3 - Using GeoJavawa, enter the coordinates for points A and B and angles α and β and triangulate the position of the person who has phoned for the ambulance.

Where is the person standing?
Take a screenshot of your map as evidence for your teacher.