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Say you're planning a plane flight from Chicago, Illinois to Tokyo, Japan.
If you use a flat map, your shortest distance may require a fuel stop, or two. If you use the great circle, you might be able to make it in one flight, and also save several hours of flight time.
Navigation, fuel conservation, living in a 3D world.
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Does every great circle of a sphere have to pass through its center?
Let's be very careful here: The "great circle" of a sphere is a circle that lies on the surface ofthe sphere, so there's no way the great circle can "pass through" the sphere's center.However, in order for the circle to be a "great circle", its center must be the center of the sphere.
Can anyone explain the great circle formula in layman terms?
Yes the great circle formula is the same formula for any other circle.
What is the difference between a small circle and a great circle?
A small circle is a simple circle on a two dimensional plane. The great circle is the circle around a sphere that is on the plane that intersects with the center of the sphere. It is the reason that on a flat map the paths of planes seem to curve to go to and from Europe and the North American continent.
What line that goes from one side of the circle to the other?
In geometry it is called the "Great Circle".
Why are great-circle paths commonly used in navigation?
Because on a globe, a great-circle route is the shortest route between two places.
