ETYM Cf. French triangulation.
1. A method of surveying; the area is divided into triangles and the length of one side and its angles with the other two are measured, then the lengths of the other sides can be calculated.
2. A trigonometric method of determining the position of a fixed point from the angles to it from two fixed points a known distance apart; useful in navigation.
Technique used in surveying and navigation to determine distances, using the properties of the triangle. To begin, surveyors measure a certain length exactly to provide a base line. From each end of this line they then measure the angle to a distant point, using a theodolite. They now have a triangle in which they know the length of one side and the two adjacent angles. By simple trigonometry they can work out the lengths of the other two sides.
To make a complete survey of the region, they repeat the process, building on the first triangle. + prikaži više