Geometry & MeasuresKey Facts

The Three Golden Rules

Part of BearingsGCSE Mathematics

This key facts covers The Three Golden Rules within Bearings for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Bearings in Geometry & Measures for GCSE Mathematics with 19 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 2 of 8 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 8

Practice

19 questions

Recall

5 flashcards

The Three Golden Rules

Rule What It Means Example
1. Always 3 digits Write 045° not 45° 008°, 045°, 090°, 180°, 270°
2. Measured FROM North Draw North line at your starting point first Always start at the vertical North line
3. Measured CLOCKWISE Go clockwise from North to your direction East = 090° (quarter turn clockwise)

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Bearings. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Bearings

A ship travels in the direction of North-East. Which of the following correctly writes this as a three-figure bearing?

  • A. 45°
  • B. NE45
  • C. 045°
  • D. 0045°
1 markfoundation

Explain how to find the back bearing (return bearing) of any given bearing. Your answer should cover both cases.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

Bearing of West
270° (three-quarters turn clockwise from North)
Bearing of East
090° (quarter turn clockwise from North)

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