Triangulation

:This article is about measurement by the use of triangles: for other usages of the term "triangulation", see triangulation (disambiguation).

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In trigonometry and elementary geometry, triangulation is the process of finding a distance to a point by calculating the length of one side of a triangle, given measurements of angles and sides of the triangle formed by that point and two other reference points.

Related Topics:
Trigonometry - Geometry

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Some identities often used (valid only in flat or euclidean geometry):

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• The sum of the angles of a triangle is π rad or 180 degrees.
• The law of sines
• The law of cosines
• The Pythagorean theorem

Triangulation is used for many purposes, including surveying, navigation, astrometry, binocular vision and gun direction of weapons.

Related Topics:
Surveying - Navigation - Astrometry - Binocular vision - Weapon

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Many of these surveying problems involve the solution of large meshes of triangles, with hundreds or even thousands of observations. Complex triangulation problems involving real-world observations with errors require the solution of large systems of simultaneous equations to generate solutions.

Related Topics:
Mesh - Simultaneous equation

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Famous uses of triangulation have included the retriangulation of Great Britain.

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Triangulation: See also ►