How is trigonometry used in a cartographer?

Answer 1

Ah, trigonometry is like a gentle breeze guiding a cartographer's hand as they map out the world. By using trigonometric functions like sine and cosine, cartographers can calculate distances, angles, and shapes on maps with great precision. It's a beautiful dance between numbers and art that helps us navigate and appreciate the vast beauty of our planet.

Answer 2

Trig helps to measure distances between objects without anyone actually having to travel to all the points. It should be noted that trig is used "in cartography" (in the practice of map-making), or used "by a cartographer" (by a map maker).-

Answer 3

There are two main uses: one in on a macro or global level and the other is on a micro or local level.

The earth is a sphere and most maps are produced on plane surfaces. The surface of the earth cannot be flattened out into a plane surface. It is necessary to use spherical geometry (trigonometry) to project the spherical surface onto the plane surface. Different projections result in different sort of distortions.

Cartographers use trigonometry to map landmarks in hostile terrain. They set up "triangulation points" outside a hostile area. These are points whose locations are known quite precisely. By measuring the angles from these points to the target location and using trigonometry, it is possible to determine the exact location of the target point without having to go there. Nowadays satellites have reduced the usefulness of triangulation points and trigonometry for map making but that has been replaced by the use of trigonometry in SATNAV equipment. You may not see the processors in the SATNAV equipment using trigonometry, but that is what makes them tick!