Which statement best describes the bearing of a line?

• A. The bearing describes the direction with respect to the reference meridian and indicates whether measured from the north or south and toward east or west.
• B. The bearing is always measured clockwise from true north.
• C. Bearing is the same as azimuth and uses 0-360.
• D. Bearing is used only in marine navigation.

Answer: (A)

Bearing expresses a line’s direction relative to a reference meridian (a north–south line) and specifies whether the angle is taken from the north or from the south toward the east or toward the west. This quadrant-style description, such as N 30° E or S 45° W, precisely conveys where the line points in relation to the meridians. It’s not limited to a single 0–360 measure; azimuths do use 0–360 clockwise from true north, but bearing is the traditional land-surveying format that emphasizes the N/S and E/W quadrants. Bearings are used widely in surveying, not just marine navigation.