Science0 min ago
Grid References.
22 Answers
My grandson is about to learn map reading skills. Now I just know he is going to ask me to help him and I'm looking forward to it but...
It has been many many moons since I did it and I don't want to let him down. I've had a quick glance at his 'homework' and he has, as far as I can see, been given two grid reference numbers of five figures each.
Now I vaguely remember four and six figure directions but can't remember ever using five, or even ten if we take them both into account.
Does anyone know of any sites that would explain how to do it.
I've tried youtube but it is mostly showing four and six figures.
I've probably missed something simple here so apologies in advance.
It has been many many moons since I did it and I don't want to let him down. I've had a quick glance at his 'homework' and he has, as far as I can see, been given two grid reference numbers of five figures each.
Now I vaguely remember four and six figure directions but can't remember ever using five, or even ten if we take them both into account.
Does anyone know of any sites that would explain how to do it.
I've tried youtube but it is mostly showing four and six figures.
I've probably missed something simple here so apologies in advance.
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After reading your question more closely: A five figure reference makes no sense as the first half of the string of digits (3 or 2) give Eastings and the second (same number as first) give Northings. So always an even number of digits in the reference. As suggested, please post thee actual reference you are looking at.
Need some more or less numbers
http://
http://
Nothing to do with this, is it:
http://
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Wow, I pop out for a couple of hours and all these replies!!
I will work through them I promise.
Anyway as far as I can figure, going off what my daughter remembers, is that it will be an OS map and they have to find some kind of footpath or navigable way between two points. The distance is minimal she thinks and there will of course be a leader with them.
As for the grid references, these are they,
NU 17441 00342 to NU 16762 00003.
She had written them down on a scrap of paper so lets hope she hasn't made any mistakes, although she rarely does.
I will work through them I promise.
Anyway as far as I can figure, going off what my daughter remembers, is that it will be an OS map and they have to find some kind of footpath or navigable way between two points. The distance is minimal she thinks and there will of course be a leader with them.
As for the grid references, these are they,
NU 17441 00342 to NU 16762 00003.
She had written them down on a scrap of paper so lets hope she hasn't made any mistakes, although she rarely does.
Check the details he has been given.
If he is using the OS Explorer map for walkers, the grid references are in six figures. (4cm. =1 km. on the ground.). A,fictitious example:
192 457
Look for line 19 at top or bottom of map (also faintly on the map). Stay on this line. Go in to the right for two divisions. They are marked At the edge of the map and each one represents 100 m. Imagine there is a barrier there at the second division.
Now look for 45 at the side of the map. Go up from that line seven divisions.imagine a barrier stopping you going further. You should now be able to spot where your two barriers intersect and the place fitting your grid reference is there.
You can use your compass edge to do all this,where the gradations are marked, but you will understand that much better if someone actually shows you.
You can also make a nifty little tool or romer out of any stiff paper with a neat square edge, and mark the divisions on it......again, much better if someone shows you.........the teacher has probably done this.
If he is using the OS Explorer map for walkers, the grid references are in six figures. (4cm. =1 km. on the ground.). A,fictitious example:
192 457
Look for line 19 at top or bottom of map (also faintly on the map). Stay on this line. Go in to the right for two divisions. They are marked At the edge of the map and each one represents 100 m. Imagine there is a barrier there at the second division.
Now look for 45 at the side of the map. Go up from that line seven divisions.imagine a barrier stopping you going further. You should now be able to spot where your two barriers intersect and the place fitting your grid reference is there.
You can use your compass edge to do all this,where the gradations are marked, but you will understand that much better if someone actually shows you.
You can also make a nifty little tool or romer out of any stiff paper with a neat square edge, and mark the divisions on it......again, much better if someone shows you.........the teacher has probably done this.
NU 17441 00342 to NU 16762 00003
These are TEN figure references, five for Eastings, five for Northings. Take off the last two digits of each five and you will have the six figure references you are familiar with (accurate to 100 metres). Apply the same principles for four digits and you will have references accurate to 10 metres, three digits and you have (in theory) accuracy to one metre. I'm surprised anybody would teach this degree of accuracy for walkers, six figures is usually good enough to find a footpath, eight figures would always prove sufficient.
These are TEN figure references, five for Eastings, five for Northings. Take off the last two digits of each five and you will have the six figure references you are familiar with (accurate to 100 metres). Apply the same principles for four digits and you will have references accurate to 10 metres, three digits and you have (in theory) accuracy to one metre. I'm surprised anybody would teach this degree of accuracy for walkers, six figures is usually good enough to find a footpath, eight figures would always prove sufficient.
Goodness, I am surprised they are using ten figure grid references. Those are used on army exercises when very detailed instructions are needed.
I led walks for thirty years and six figure refs were always enough.
The ten figure refs gradually break down further and further till you are looking for something within ten metres.
Initially your young boy will be able to get to the right area using the method I have described then he will be able to spot a landmark to latch onto to pinpoint his route, such as a prominent tree or a pond or a cottage or something.
I led walks for thirty years and six figure refs were always enough.
The ten figure refs gradually break down further and further till you are looking for something within ten metres.
Initially your young boy will be able to get to the right area using the method I have described then he will be able to spot a landmark to latch onto to pinpoint his route, such as a prominent tree or a pond or a cottage or something.
If using 1:25,000 scale map (4 cm to 1 Km, often used for walking) with a six figure reference the 100 metre accuracy is represented by 4 mm on the map. An eight figure ref would require measuring / estimating a tiny .4 mm and a ten figure ref a ridiculous .04 mm.
This example has a spurious accuracy; whoever is teaching it cannot have much practical experence of navigation on the ground.
This example has a spurious accuracy; whoever is teaching it cannot have much practical experence of navigation on the ground.
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