2. Triangulation
Triangulation: Using measurements and
scale drawings of triangles to find the
distance to a far object.
Why is this helpful?
For distances far away you can measure
them without going to the object.
Example: measuring the distance across a
river (but you don't have to cross the
river).
3. Triangulation
Steps:
1. On a flat area, measure off a baseline and mark off each end.
2. Select an object you can see on the opposite side of the river.
3. At one end of the baseline, use a protractor to determine the angle of the
end of the baseline and the object you are looking at.
4. Stand on the other end of the baseline and repeat.
5. Make a scale drawing of the triangle with the baseline and angles.
6. On the drawing, make a perpendicular line from the baseline to the tip
(or to the object you were looking at). Measure the line using the same
scale you used in the drawing.
