H.S.

HOE

Chapter 9 Earth as A Sphere

9.1 Longitud
Greenwish
Meridian,
0

125 E
C

55 W

1. A Great circle circle on the surface of the

earth which has a diameter that passes the centre of
the earth.
2. A Meridian is half of the great circle that
connects the North pole and the South pole.
3. The Greenwich Meridian has a longitude of 0,
and is chosen as reference circle for measuring
longitude.
4. The longitude of a meridian is the angle to the
east or west of the Greenwich Meridian. (x E) or
(y W)

O
80

45
A

45 E

1. Sketch a great circle that passes through the North pole and the South pole and the point A(not hidden) or B (hidden)
in each of the following diagrams below.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
A

O
B

2. In each of the diagrams below, O is the centre of the earth and NGS is the Greenwich Meridian. State the longitude
of points P and Q.
N

O
P 25

50

46

34

75

80

P
G

(c) Longitude of P =
Longitude of Q =

(b) Longitude of P =
Longitude of Q =

(a) Longitude of P =
Longitude of Q =
N

G
O

100

50

43
O

35
120

(d) Longitude of P =
Longitude of Q =

(e) Longitude of P =
Longitude of Q =

P
S

(f) Longitude of P =
Longitude of Q =

H.S.HOE

3. Given that NGS is the Greenwich meridian, sketch and label the meridian whose longitude is given in each of the
diagrams below.
(a) 35E and 120W
(b) 110 W and 70E
(c) 65E and 30W
N

G
O

G
O

(d) 45W and 135E

(e) 62E and 98E

(f) 45W and 90W

4. Find the different between the two given longitudes for the following. sketch and label the meridian whose
longitude is given in each of the diagrams below.

1. If the longitudes of A and B are on the same

side of the Greenwich meridian xE and y E
and(y > x)
Then the different between them = y - x
(a) 24 E and 80 E

Then the different between them = x + y

(b) 34 W and 72

2. If the longitudes of A and B are on the opposite

side of the Greenwich meridian are x E and y W

Different
=
=

(c) 56 E and 15223E

N

Different
=
=

Different
=
=

(d) 3540 E and 6430 W

(e) 2530 E and 4350 E

Different
=
=

(f) 5441 E and 7819 W

N

Different
=
=

Different
=
=

9.2 Latitude
N

x
y

A ( x N )
The latitude of A
is x N.
0 (Equator)

1. The latitude is stated as an angle to the north or south of the

equator.
2. The parallel of latitude is a circle on the surface of the
earth that is parallel to the equator.
3. All point on the same parallel latitude have the same
latitude.
4. The north pole has latitude 90N and the south pole 90S.

B ( y S )
The latitude of B
is y S.

H.S.HOE

1. Sketch a circle parallel to the equator and passes through point H for each of the following.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
N

A
O

A
S

2. In the diagrams below, O is the centre of the earth. State the latitudes of points C and D.
N

30 O

Q
O

65

50

R
30

80

50
Q

P
S

Latitude of P =
Latitude of Q =
Latitude of R =

Latitude of P =
Latitude of Q =
Latitude of R =

Latitude of P =
Latitude of Q =
Latitude of R =
N

P
P
45
70

45

30
25

Q
S

Latitude of P =
Latitude of Q =
Latitude of R =

Latitude of P =
Latitude of P =
Latitude of Q =
Latitude of Q =
Latitude of R =
Latitude of R =
3. In each of the following diagrams sketch and label the altitude for each of the following point P and Q.
(a) P(12 S) and Q(68 S)
(b) P(23 N) and Q(35 S)
(c) P(20 N) and Q(73 N)
N

(d) P(30 S) and Q(45 N)

N

(e) P(10 S) and Q(10N)

N

(f) P(25 N) and Q( 85N)

N

H.S.HOE

9.2 Latitude Finding the difference between the two latitudes

N

45
x 79

0 (Equ ator)
A (45 S)

B (79 S)

(1).If the latitudes of A(x N)

and B(y N) or A(x S) and
B(y S) are on the same side
of the equator, so the angle
between them is the difference of
their latitudes.
Thus,
Difference = y - x (y > x)
Example 1.
Difference = 79 - 45 = 34

S
N
A (85 N)
B (32 N)
O

Example 2.
Difference = 85 - 32 = 53

N
A (85 N)

85
50

0 (Equ ator)
B (50 S)

(1).If the latitudes of A(x N) and B(y S)

or A(x S) and B(y N) are on the
opposite side of the equator, so the angle
between them is the sum of their latitudes.
Thus, Difference = y + x

0 (Equator)

Example :
Difference = 85 + 50 = 135

4. Find the difference between the latitude given below.

(a) 45N and 55N
(b) 16.3N and 48S
Difference =

(c) 17S and 31S

(d) 5S and 28.5N

(e) 18.2N and 65.6S

(f) 1034S and 7856S

(g) 35S and 2916N

(f) 4020N and 75.2N

9.3 Location of a Place

1. The location of a place on the surface of the earth is determined by its latitude and longitude.
2. The location of a place is written as ( its latitude, its longitude) = ( x N/S, y E/W)
Example : A point P has a latitude of 25 N and 80 E
Then its location is written as P(25 N, 80 E)
1. Study the figure carefully and complete the table below.
N

60 N

80 W

75 S

Point
P
Q
R
S

Latitude

Longitude

Location

45 E

H.S.HOE

2. Study the figure carefully and complete the table below.

N

20 W

Point
A
B
C
P
Q
R

G
P

Q (50 N)

B
O

A
Greenwich
Meridian

R(80 S)

35 E

Latitude

Longitude

3. Study the figure carefully and state the position of the point P, Q and R
(a)
(b)

P =(
Q =(
R =(

Location

(c)

)
)
)

4. Sketch and label the position for each of the following points.
(a) P(35 N, 25 W) and
(b) P(40 N, 3 E) and
Q(50 S, 60 E)
Q(32 N, 46 W)
N

(c) P(28 N, 34 E) and

Q(30 S, 46 W)

(d) P(50 S, 34 E) and

Q(40 N, 75 W)

(e) P(82 N, 25 E) and

Q(20 N, 125 W)

(f) P(15 N, 145 E) and

Q(52 S, 65 W)

9.4 Distance on the Surface of the Earth

(A) Finding the distance between two points along a great circle.
Distance between A and B =

60 the angle substance by the arc at the centre of the earth ( AOB )

= 60
N
A(x N)

x
y

B(y S)

Distance measure
along meridian
= AOB
= x0 y 0

The distance AB = 60 x
= 60 x ( x 0 y 0 ) nautical miles

Distance measure
along equator

O
A

0
B

=
AOB
= x0

The distance AB = 60 x
= 60 x x 0 nautical miles

H.S.HOE

1. For each of the following, calculate the distance, in nautical miles, of ABC.
N

N
B

45

50 18'

43

55
C

B
C

N
C

35 16'

40 39'

30

20 N

60

48 N

B
O

C
S

2. Find the distance along the great circle (along the same meridian)between each pair of points.
(a) P(15 N, 56 W) and
(b) P(14 S, 45 E) and
(c) P(20 S, 33 W) and
Q(52 S, 56 W)
Q(70 S, 45 E)
Q(52 N, 33 W)

(d) P(10 N, 115 E) and

Q(52 N, 115 E)

(e) P(15 N, 45 W) and Q is

located at the north pole.

(f) P(25 N, 75 E) and Q is

located at the south pole.

3. Sketch and calculate the distance of PQ in each of the following measure along the equator.
(a) P(0 , 36 E) and
(b) P(0 , 13 E) and
(c) P(0 , 46 E) and
Q(0 , 75 E)
Q(0 , 105 E)
Q(0 , 25 W)
N

(d) P(0 , 70 W) and

Q(0 , 20 W)

(e) P(0 , 57 W) and

Q(0 , 28 E)

(f) P(0 , 125 W) and

Q(0 , 40 E)
N

H.S.HOE

Distance
on the
Surface
of the Earth
(B) Finding the latitude of point B, given 9.4
the latitude
of point
A and
the distance
AB along the same meridian

1. In each of the diagrams, find the value x and hence find the latitude of the point Q.
(a) PQ = 5400 n.m.
(b) PQ =1230 n.m.
(c) PQ = 4800 n. m.
N

54 N

P
x

45 S

75 S

(d) PQ = 2450 n. m.

(e) PQ = 2800 n.m.

(f) PQ = 6150 n.m.

N
Q
x

Q
P

28 N
O
23 S

65 S

Q
S

2. A and B are two point on the surface of the earth. Find the latitude of B.
(a) B is located 1500 n.m. due south
(b) B is located 1200 n.m. due north
of A(40N , 20 E)
of A(15N , 115 W)

(c) B is located 2100 n.m. due south

of A(22S , 50 W)

(d) B is located 3000 n.m. due south

of A(30N , 65 E)

(f) B is located 1500 n.m. due south of

A(13S , 15 W)

(e) B is located 1500 n.m. due south

of A(25N , 20 E)

H.S.HOE

9.4 Distance on the Surface of the Earth

(C) Finding the latitude of point Q, given the longitude of point P and the distance PQ along the equator.
POQ

Distance PQ
60

y W

y W

S
Longitude of Q = ( y + x ) W

y W
O
P

x
Q

0
Q

S
Longitud e of Q = ( x - y ) W

S
Longitude of Q = ( y - x ) W

1. In each of the following diagrams, O is the centre of the earth. Given the distance PQ along the equator, calculate the
longitude of the point Q.
(a) Distance PQ = 2500 n.m.
(b) Distance PQ = 1560 n.m.
N

80 W

Q 0

P
35 E

(c) Distance PQ = 3450 n.m.

N

(d) Distance PQ = 4000 n.m.

N

12 W
O
P

O
x

15 20' E

2. C and D are two points on the surface of the earth. Find the longitude of D.
(a) D is located 3000 n.m. due east of (b) ) D is located 1500 n.m. due east
C(0 , 20 E)
of C(0 , 25 W)

(c) D is located 4500 n.m. due west of

C(0 , 40 W)

(d) D is located 2855 n.m. due west of

C(0 , 173 W)

(f) D is located 3000 n.m. due east of

C(0N , 145 E)

(e) D is located 4200 n.m. due west of

C(0N , 51 E)

H.S.HOE

9.4 Distance on the Surface of the Earth

(C) Finding the distance between two points along a parallel of latitude. All the parallels of latitudes
other than equator are called smaller circles. The radius of the smaller circle (r) must be smaller than the
radius of the earth or the great circles.
N

C
O

35 W

r
x
x

A(x N)
0

From

AOC

Cos

24 E

r
R

Q
O

and

r R cos

A(60 N)

The difference in
longitude
=
= 35 + 24
= 59
Hence,
The distance PQ
= 60 cos x 0
= 59 x 60 x cos60
= 1770 n.m.

1. Sketch and find the shortest distance between A and B, measured along a parallel of latitude.
(a) A(10 N, 42 W) and B(10 N, 70 W)
(b) A(45 N, 10 E) and B(45 N, 70 E)
N
N

The difference in longitude,

O

The distance AB measured

along latitude
=
=

(c) A(30 N, 25 E) and B(30 N, 25 W)

N

(e) A(50 S, 70 W) and B(50 S, 110 W)

N

(d) A(70 N, 45 E) and B(70 N, 20 W)

N

(f) A(15 S, 80 E) and B(15 N, 142 E)

N

H.S.HOE

2. Given the distance P and Q, measured along a parallel of latitude, find the longitude of Q.
(a) Q is situated 1500 n.m. due east of (b) Q is situated 2400 n.m.due east of (c) Q is situated 3500 n.m. due west
P(60 N, 10 W)
P(30 N, 10 E)
of P(40 S, 82 E)
Let = difference between the two
longitude

distance along latitude

60 cos x 0

=
=
Hence,
longitude of Q =
=
(d) Q is situated 1240 n.m.due west of
P(34 S, 54 W)

(e) Q is situated 2315 n.m. due west

of P(58 N, 12 E)

(f) Q is situated 2100 n.m. due east of

P(70 S, 150 W)

9.4 Distance on the Surface of the Earth

(D) Finding the Shortest distance between two points across North and South Pole
N
BOA =180- 70-20
BOA =180- 80-35
N
= 90
= 65
B(70 N)
A(20 N)
O

Hence, the shortest

distance
BA = BNA
= 60 x 90
= 5400n.m.

0
A(35 S)

B(80 S)

Hence, the shortest

distance
BA = BSA
= 60 x 65
= 3900n.m.

1. Find the shortest distance between A and B.

(a) A(40N, 10 W) and B(60N, 170E)
N

(b) A(30 N, 35 W) and B(45N, 145E)

N

(c) A(55 S, 124 W) and B(55 S, 56E)

N

(d) A(80 N, 150 W) and B(10 S, 30E)

N

10

H.S.HOE

(E) Finding the Shortest distance between two points along the equator or the great circle
(e) A(60 S, 110 E) and B(45 N, 110E)
N

(f) A(0, 56 W) and B(0, 112 E)

N

Problem Solving
(1) A(0, 130 W) and B(0, 4530W) are two points on
the surface of the earth. An aeroplane took 15 hours to
fly from A to B along the equator.
(a) Calculate the distance from A to B along the equator.
(b) Calculate the average speed of the aeroplane from A
to B

(2) K(20S, 36E) and L(20S, 144W) are two points on

the surface of the earth. An aeroplane flew at a speed
of 650 knots from K to L along the parallel of latitude.
(a) Find the distance travelled by the aeroplane.
(b) Find the time, in hours and minutes, taken by the
aeroplane to fly from K to L.

(3) P(0, 45W), Q(0, 53W), R(35N, 80E) and S(35N, 53W) are four points on the suaface of the earth.
N
(a) Mark the location of the points P, Q, R and T on the diagram.
(b) Find the distance, in nautical miles, from P to Q along the equator.
(c) Find the distance, in nautical miles, from R to T along the parallel of
35 N
latitude.
(d) An aeroplane took off from Q and flew due north along the longitude 53W
O
0
to T with average speed of 700 knots. Find the time taken by the plane.
53 W
80 E

45 W
S

(4) A(50N, 15W), B(50N, 20E) and C are three points on the surface of the earth.
(a) Calculate the shortest distance, in nautical miles from A to the North pole.
N
(b) Given that C is situated 3660 n.m. to the south of B, find the latitude of C.
(c) Mark A, B and C on the diagram given.
(d) An aeroplane flew east from A to B at a speed of 600 konts. If the aeroplane
arrived at B at 1115 hours, find the departure time of the aeroplane from A.
O

11

From

AOC

r
Cos
R
and (1)

H.S.HOE

Problem Solving SPM Format

r R cos Point
P
Q
R

(2)
Latitude

50 N
50S
50S

Longitude

120W
xE
yW

The table shows the latitudes of points P, Q and R on the

surface of the earth.
(a) Find the value of x if PQ is the diameter of the
earth
(b) Find the value of y if QR is the diameter of the
parallel of latitude 50S
(c) Hence,
(i). Calculate the shortest distance of PR and QR
along the meridian.
(ii) Calculate the distance of QR measured along the
common parallel of latitude 50S.

(3) P(30N, 50 E) and Q(30N, 20W) and R are

three points on the surface of the earth.
(a) Calculate the shortest distance, in nautical miles,
from P to the North Pole.
(b) Given that R is 3600 nautical miles due south of
Q. Calculate the latitude of R.
(c) An aeroplane took off from P and flew westwards
to Q along the common parallel of latitude. The
average speed of the flight is 550 knots. Calculate
the total time taken by the aeroplane for the
journey.

5). P(60S, 70E),Q and R are three points on the

surface of the earth. PQ is the diameter of the
earth and R is 5400 nautical miles due east of Q.
(a) State the positions of Q and R.
(b) Calculate the shortest distance, in nautical miles, from
Q to R.
(c) An aeroplane took off from Q and flew towards R
using the shortest distance, and then flew due south to
P. The total time taken for the whole flight is 16 hours,
find the average speed of the aeroplane.

In the diagram, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole

and NOS is the axis of the axis of the earth. Given that PQ
is the diameter of the earth, QR is the diameter of the
parallel of latitude.
(a) State the positions of P, Q and R.
(b) Calculate the distance of PR, measured along the
same meridian.
(c) Calculate the distance of QR, measured along the
common parallel of latitude.
(4) P(65N, 125E), Q, R and T are four points of the
same great circle on the surface of the earth. PQ
is the diameter of a great circle. The shortest
distance of PR through North Pole is 3000 nautical
miles. The shortest distance of QT through South
Pole is 3600 nautical miles.
(a) State the positions of Q, R and T.
(b) Calculate the distance of PR measured along the
common parallel of latitude.
(c) An aeroplane took off from P and flew due south
to T. The total time taken by the aeroplane for the
flight is 12 hours, find the average speed of the
aeroplane.
6). A(35S, 40E), B(35S, 20W),and C are three
points on the surface of the earth.
(a) Calculate the shortest distance, in nautical miles,
from A to South Pole measured along the surface
of the earth.
(b) Given that AC is the diameter of the earth. State
the position of C.
(c) An aeroplane took off from A and flew westwards
to B along the common parallel of latitude. The
average speed of the flight is 450 knots. Calculate
the time taken by the flight.

12