How to Use Grid-Referances (four and six figure) to locate points on a map

A grid reference is very simple. It is a series of numbers used to pin point a position on a map. They can be either four or six figures.  I will first explain four figure references because they are easier.  

(number read from (along) 51,52,53 and (up) 73.74,75.)

Look at the picture above. You can see that the lines have numbers on them. The point A is in can be 51,74. You can see this by following the first number (the one at the bottom of the grid) then following the second number across (the one going up the side.. Using the same logic point B is in square 50,73. Now using this work out the reference for C ( answer at the bottom).      

Six figure references divide the box into ten parts- number one to ten. For example you can see point B is in the middle horizontally – we assign the number 5 to this. Vertically, it is just over a quarter of the way up so we call this 3. The reference is found by combining the four figure reference – written as 505, 733. Using the same logic point A is about 514,747. So what would point C be in terms of a six figure reference (answer below)?     

I hope this article has been helpful to you.

C (four figures) is 51,74. C (six figures) is about 512,743.  

 

Connor Davidson 3/22/09

» left by Teresa Ortiz

2 years 317 days ago.
187 fans.

Hi Connor, I am so confused! But I bet this is great for a math person. I guess I was wrong when I said I wasn't a good history student. The truth is I wasn't a good student at all :-) Blessings to you! Teresa

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» left by Connor Davidson 2 years 317 days ago.
89 fans. Follow Connor Davidson on twitter!

A grid referance is a very difficult thing to explain in writing. I gave it my best shoot. I agree you do need to be quite good at maths to understand it. Sorry.

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» left by Teresa Ortiz 2 years 317 days ago.
187 fans.

No need to be sorry, the problem is not yours its mine :-) 

 

I did better in Dance, Drama, and Choir. Going to 15 different schools by the time I graduated made it difficult for me to take school serious.  I just wanted to gra-gee-ate . ha! 

 

 

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» left by Sandra E. Graham

2 years 317 days ago.
247 fans.

Connor, you lost me after, "I'm writing this ariticle...."----this is all way over my head, but I'm sure someone out there appreciates your info. Sorry I can't add anything more, but it was a well written article at any rate and you seem to know what you're talking about and that's good enough for me. Keep up the good work.

 

Sandra

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» left by Cameron Home

2 years 316 days ago.
15 fans. Follow Cameron Home on twitter!

Being someone who learned Geography in quite a bit of detail, I understand grid referances quite well.

 

What I do to remember the order they go in is "along the corridor and up the stairs".

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» left by straight talk

2 years 316 days ago.
111 fans. Follow straight talk on twitter!

Yes, most people had it in school and have long sine forgotten it. However with GPS it is the rage.

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» left by Connor Davidson 2 years 316 days ago.
89 fans. Follow Connor Davidson on twitter!

Ha, ha. I think I will have to write an article on the disappearance of good old Ordinace Survey maps.

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» left by Eleanor Wray 2 years 316 days ago.
9 fans.

He he...I already know how to read grid referances. You were there when I learnt it.

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» left by Connor Davidson 2 years 316 days ago.
89 fans. Follow Connor Davidson on twitter!

Could you please give reasons why you rated the article one star? Please, I would like to know.

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» left by Deborah Hall-Branch

2 years 315 days ago.
26 fans.

Thumbs up for taking the initiative to implement something where there's nothing.

 

Deborah

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» left by Linda DeWitt

from Oregon 2 years 314 days ago.

I use grids for my art but not in the form of mathematics. Interesting though, all math interest me.

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» left by Connor Davidson 2 years 313 days ago.
89 fans. Follow Connor Davidson on twitter!

Maths is a very important study and it is good you like it.

 

Grid referances are used most often on maps.

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