Question

What is the four-figure grid reference and how is it used?

Answer 1

Hint: Grid references define locations in maps using Cartesian coordinates. The reference is generally based on projected eastings and northings.

Complete answer: Grid lines on maps are defined as the coordinate system and are numbered to provide a unique reference to each location on the map. Grid systems vary. But among the variations in the grid system, the most common is a square grid having lines intersecting each other at right angles and are numbered sequentially from the origin at the bottom left of the map. There are two main type of grid systems, viz., four-figure grid reference, such as ’17 89’, indicates a 1km by 1 km square on a map; and six-figure grid reference, such as ’167 234’, indicates a 100m by 100m square on the map. Grids may be arbitrary, or can be based on specific distances depending upon the location.
The four-figure grid reference contains four numbers. The first two numbers are called easting (which are present at the bottom of the map) and the second two numbers are the northings (which are present at the side of the map).
While pointing out or writing a four-figure grid reference, one should put the easting number first and then the northing number in the second part. In a graph, along the horizontal x-axis, eastings are marked whereas along the vertical y-axis, northings are marked. To find the four-figure grid reference, that is the square, the square or the place where one wants to locate, one has to first find the easting to go along the corridor until he/she comes to the bottom left corner of the square to the appropriate location. Then, he/she has to go up the lines following the northings till the same corner is reached. Thus, the perfect square or place is found.

Note: This grid system is of immense importance in the fields of navigation, town planning, and even adventurous journeys. This kind of map referencing is also very helpful to locate places in a city, town or even villages. Thus, its usefulness is quite widespread.