Final answer:
In expressing the orientation of an element, one must use the correct number of significant figures and units, whether using compass direction, bearing, or measuring angles in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Bearings are written as three-digit numbers indicating direction clockwise from North. Angles involving inexact numbers require consideration of the smallest significant figures during calculations.
Step-by-step explanation:
When specifying the orientation of an element in degrees, it is important to ensure the answers are given to the correct number of significant figures and include the proper units. For instance, if the orientation is based on a compass direction, such as N 30° W, it is expressed relative to a cardinal direction. Alternatively, when using a bearing, the angle is measured clockwise from North and is represented as a three-digit number, like 053° for an east-northeast direction.
In the calculation of angles, when using inexact numbers such as 180, 16, and 2.20, it's essential that the final answer reflects the smallest number of significant figures used among the inexact numbers involved in the calculation. An angle of 35° 43' 9" indicates 35 degrees, 43 minutes, and 9 seconds, with each degree containing 60 minutes and each minute containing 60 seconds.
Remember that in problems where trigonometric relationships are used to determine an angle, such as finding the direction of a resultant vector, a protractor or trigonometric functions might be used to measure the angle with respect to the reference frame. The resulting angle should then be reported with the correct significant figures and units.