2006-08-27 06:21:23 · 9 answers · asked by ducky_lucky_123 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
Latitude and longitude refer to a grid mapping system. They are actually two angles, measured in: 1) degrees, 2) minutes of arc, and 3) seconds of arc. Each degree contains 60 minutes of arc and a minute contains 60 seconds of arc.
Any location on Earth can thus be described by two numbers--its latitude and its longitude. If a pilot or a ship's captain wants to specify a position on a map, these are the "coordinates" they would use. So it's important because it tells you where you are. Also, if you knew where you were at an earlier point in time and where you are now and how much time elapsed, then you can tell such things as the direction and speed you traveled.
If you want to see the math behind the angles, let me know and I can lay it out for you.
2006-08-27 06:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by E D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is important for navigation, that is to say to plot where you are and what direction you must take to get some where else, when you know you latitude and longitude you can plot your position in a chart, a map for the sea with or without the cost line, charts have scales in the borders, you use this scales to plot your position.
Then you know the position of the spot you want to go, you draw a line between this two points and you get your course, if the char is a navigational chart, the angle the slope of the line will be the bearing you want to go to get there.
2006-08-27 13:44:42 · answer #2 · answered by runlolarun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's important to a sailor if he wants to know where he is on the Ocean. It all looks exactly the same out there.
2006-08-27 13:28:53 · answer #3 · answered by Thom Thumb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same question crosses my mind when I wonder what a GPS for $200 is important to my husband. Go figure!?
2006-08-28 03:19:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because at sea there are no reference points. All the waves look the same.
2006-08-27 13:33:55 · answer #5 · answered by szydkids 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you want to know where you are in the world.
Not just floating around willy-nilly.
2006-08-27 13:27:14 · answer #6 · answered by amatukaze 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To navigate the dark sea's, possibly find where they are and where they need to go.
2006-08-27 13:26:49 · answer #7 · answered by pecksun8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without them they'd just be random floaters
2006-08-27 13:26:53 · answer #8 · answered by The Jade Merchant 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its becoming less important as gps systems become more accessabile.
2006-08-27 13:27:43 · answer #9 · answered by x o 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋