Star 3

Map Reading Performance Objective

1.

This level is to train Senior Cadets the practical application of advanced

Map Reading.

To pass the level 3 written test, the cadet must be able to:a.

Know how to determine whether its visible from point A to B by means

of intervisibility.

b.

Know how to plot his position on the map.

c.

Know how to calculate Distance, Speed and Time.

2.

This booklet is intended to cover the above areas.

MAP READING

STAR 3
AIM: To train Senior Cadets in the practical application of more advanced Map Reading.
Intervisiability
This is the means by which, we use to find out, if we can see B if we are standing
at A.
i.

Section
a.

Use a piece of paper to mark off the two points A & B.

b.

Mark off all contour lines, which runs between the points.

c.

After doing this exercise you make up a graph, and plot the position.

PROPORTIONATE SUM (Calculation)

B 120m is the point of observation, and AD is the peak of a hill 2400m away and
600m high. At 1200m from B there is another peak CE 520m high. It is required from
us to find out whether or not this peak would obscure the view form B to A. A
proportion sum can be used to decide this.
A

600m

520m
120m
B

1200m

2400m

To solve the equation we first need to:

a. Bring the observation point B to sea level (0) by subtracting it from itself.
b. Subtract CE & AD from the height of B.
A

600m 120m= 480m

520m 120m=
400m
120m 120m= 0m
B

1200m

2400m

c. Apply the information required from the above to the formulae below.

Formulae:

Length of BE X the height of AD

Length of BD

= The height middle peak CE would have to be

for intervisibility to take place.

*Small distance over big distance multiply by big height.

BE X AD = X :BD

1200 X 480 = 240m

2400

The equation shows that, just to reach the line of sight, CE would have to be 240m
high for intervisibility to take place. CE is 520m, which is grater than 240m, therefore it
is not intervisible (Blocks the line sight).
On the map:
B ..>
BD ..>
AD .>
BE .>
CE .>

This is the point of observation.

This is the distance between the two points.
This is the height of the cliff youre looking at.
This is the distance between B and CE.
This is the height of the middle contour which is more likely to
block the line of sight (The highest middle contour).

PLOTTING POSITION
In some parts of Jamaica the land is open and featureless, that it would not be
possible to identify ones position on the map in the country way, (setting the map and

noting the respective positions of various prominent objects or natural feature in the
vicinity and then assuming your position based on how far or near you are to one of the
objects or feature). In these circumstances the following procedure is used.
A.

Looking over the country from position P, two reasonably prominent objects M &
N are picked out and identified on the map. The two objects should, for preference,
be fairly far apart from one another. From ones point at P, compass bearing are
taken on the two points:
i.

The bearing of M from P is 40 degrees therefore the back bearing of

40 degrees =220 degrees.

ii.

The bearing of N from P is 295 degrees therefore the back bearing

of 295 degrees is, 295 degrees -180 degrees =115 degrees.

B.
With a protractor 220 degrees and 115 degrees back bearings are plotted on the map
from the points M and N, and pencil lines drawn along the direction of the back bearings.
The point of intersection of the two lines gives ones exact position P on the map.

M
i
ii
Back
Bearing of
220

Back
Bearing of
115

B.

SPEED, DISTANCE AND TIME

To calculate: we use a simple formulae:
Daylight
Saving Time

>

D .>
S ..>
T ..>
e.g: 1.

Distance
Speed
Time

=
=
=

SxT
D*T
D*S

The Magic Triangle

D = 10 km
S = 5 km per hour

To find the time, it would take to travel 10 km at a speed of 5 km per hour, we would
calculate :- T = D/S = 10/5 = 2 hrs.
e.g:

2. It took a cadet 3 hrs to travel from one point A to B at a speed of 2 km per hr.
What is the distance travelled?
(1) D = S X T

e.g:

(2) D = 3 hrs X 2 km per hr.

= 6 km

3. How long would it take a cadet to travel 3 km at a speed of 5 km per hr.

T = D/S = 3/5 = .6
our answer would be .6 x 60 = 36 mins.

e.g:

4. An officer took 15 mins driving to travel a distance of 8 km. At what speed he

was driving?
S = D/T = 8 km/15 km = 0.53
our answer would be 0.53 x 60 =32 km per hr.

e.g:

5. It took two cadets 1 hr 15 mins to travel 2.5 km. At what speed were they
travelling?
S = D/T = 2.5 km/75 mins = 0.033
our answer would be 0.033 x 60 = 2 km per hr to check your answer we calculate
T =2.5/2 = 1.25 x 60 = 75 = 1 hr 15 mins

In example 3, 4 and 5, it is observed that we multiply our first calculations by 60.

This was done because minutes were involved in the problem.
In example 3 the cadet was travelling at a speed of 5 km per hour and the distance he had
to travel was 3 km. Just by looking at the question would notice that it would take the
cadet minutes to cover the distance. The calculation gave us a .6 answer. .6 of an hour
would be .6 x 60 = 36mins.
In example 4 the time was given in minutes after calculating the figures read 0.53.
To find the speed in this case we simply multiply by 60.
Eg 6. A cadet travelling at a speed of 2 km per hr took 1 hr and 15 mins to reach his
destination. What is the distance he travelled?
D = S x T = 2 x 75 (60 min + 15 min) = 150
our answer would be 150/60 = 2.5 km
Because minutes were used in the calculation we had to divide our answer by 60 to
find the distance.

NB
When your SPEED & TIME calculations involves minutes you are to multiply your
final answer by 60.
When your DISTANCE calculations involves minutes you are to devide your final
answer by 60.
INSTRUCTORS NOTES
After cadets have been taught how to calculate speed, distance and time. This
question can be given to prove how much they have learnt.
A cadet lives 44 km from his school, he has a bicycle which can travel at a speed of
kph. School start at 0800 at what time should he leave home in order to reach school
mins before school starts.

6
5

Step 1
Calculate the time it would take the cadet to travel to school.
T =D =44 =7.3
S 6
7(.3 x 60) = 7hrs 18mins
Step 2
He needs to reach school 5 min before 8 am which is
H
8

Min
00
05
55

Step 3
To find out what time the cadet should leave home we subtract.
H
7
7
0

Min
55
18
37

Therefore the cadet would have to leave home at 0037 hrs in order to reach school at 0755
hrs.