How Should Compass Bearings Be Notated in Navigation Problems?

[ajo1023]

Homework Statement

On a wild goose chase, Harry the Canadian Goose flies north for the summer for 150 km then abruptly makes a 55 degree turn W of North to land on a pond. What is Harry's displacement so far on his trip home?

Relevant Equations

I thought I understood what I was doing but after discussion with others, I'm questioning where to even start. I know I have to draw a graph but I don't know what It should looke like. I'd love some help.

150 km
tan(35)=150/x
Hyp=316.58
I know this isn't right where did I go wrong or did I even start correctly

 

[hmmm27]

What information do you need to make the calculation, and do you have it ?

 

[ajo1023]

What information do you need to make the calculation, and do you have it ?

The only information given in the problem is 150 km and a turn of 55 degrees.

 

[hmmm27]

You may want to draw a diagram, for yourself at least.

 

[ajo1023]

like this?

 

[Mark44]

Homework Statement:: On a wild goose chase, Harry the Canadian Goose flies north for the summer for 150 km then abruptly makes a 55 degree turn W of North to land on a pond. What is Harry's displacement so far on his trip home?
Relevant Equations:: I thought I understood what I was doing but after discussion with others, I'm questioning where to even start. I know I have to draw a graph but I don't know what It should looke like. I'd love some help.

The question as stated seems to be missing important information. Harry goes north for 150 km, and then turns, but how far does he go after the turn? Are you sure you have included all the information given in the problem?

Your drawing that you posted is incorrect. The 55 deg. angle means 55 degrees to the west of North. The angle you show is 55 degrees west of South.

 

[hmmm27]

Actually...

then abruptly makes a 55 degree turn W of North

isn't terribly clear : is this goose making a 55deg left turn from its northerly heading ? or is it turning to N55W .

Also, for clarity's sake, Canada Gooses aren't necessarily Canadian geese.

 

[Mark44]

is this goose making a 55deg left turn from its northerly heading ? or is it turning to N55W

These would be the same direction. The latter means 55° west of north.

 

[Office_Shredder]

I thought it was unambiguous, but stuff like that download here

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjATegQIKRAB&usg=AOvVaw1M8UOTPV8DqenDfB01O185

Or the quora answer here

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw1qo1SU12YKcZGs0hpUTrhE

Suggest that if he's going west of north the turn was smaller than 45 degrees. But I agree I think the turn is 55 degrees and he is traveling more west than north.

 

[Mark44]

Suggest that if he's going west of north the turn was smaller than 45 degrees. But I agree I think the turn is 55 degrees and he is traveling more west than north.

I seem to remember compass bearings in degrees always being given in one of these forms: N <deg> E, N <deg> W, S <deg> E, or S <deg> W. IOW, always with 'N' or 'S' first, then the number of degrees east or west of the first direction. So if the goose is flying north and turns left by 55°, the bearing would be N55°W. I.e., 55° west of north.