How to Calculate the Bearing Between Points in VB

When you're hiking in an area that doesn't have a trail, you'll need a map and a protractor to keep you traveling in the right direction. With these tools you can determine your bearing, which is the direction one object is from another. Thus, when you're hiking, you're determining where your destination is in relation to your current position.

Things You'll Need

  • Map
  • Pencil
  • Protractor
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark two points on your map. Make one point "V," to stand for your current location, and the second point "B" for your destination.

    • 2

      Make a line between points V and B.

    • 3

      Place the protractor's origin over point V. Turn the protractor so that its base line is parallel to a north-south grid line on your map.

    • 4

      Position the protractor so that the line going from V to B crosses under the protractor's curved edge.

    • 5

      Read and record the number shown on the protractor where the line and the curved edge of the protractor meet. This is the angle measurement for the bearing -- for example, 75 degrees.

    • 6

      Position the map so north is pointing away from you.

    • 7

      Determine what direction point B is in relation to point V. For example, point B is northeast of point V.

    • 8

      Write the final bearing by incorporating the direction and degrees. Begin writing the reading with "N" for north or "S" for south, followed by the degree reading and either "E" for east or "W" for west. In the example, the final reading would look like this: N75°E.