6 Figure Grid References - Geography

It is useful to understand how to use 4 figure grid references before continuing on to look at 6 figure grid references. How comfortable is everybody with 4 figure grid references?

A four figure reference will point you to a square on the map. Six figure grid references are used to pin point a location within a square. It is important to be able to both find details given by a 6 figure grid reference as well as being able to work out the 6 figure grid

reference for any point on the How to work out 6 figure grid references Let us first look at how the 6 figure grid reference is made up. Let us take 216 322 as an example.

The first 3 figures refer to the easting of the point (or the distance along the map) While the second 3 figures refer to the northing of the point (or the distance up the map).

Looking at our number 216 322 Start by working out the basic Easting and Northing as you would for a 4 figure grid reference using only the first 2 easting values and the first 2 northing values. Then imagine that grid square divided into tenths. 216 is the Easting. 21 is the grid line and 6 is the number of tenths along towards the next grid line. 322 is the Northing.

32 is the grid line and 2 is the number of tenths along towards the next grid line. Let us find the 6 figure grid reference for the church on the map below The church is in grid square 22 31. If we imagine that square divided into 10 parts, the church is 2 tenths further east and 2 tenths further north.

So the 6 figure grid reference will be 222 312 6 Grid Reference Quiz What is the 6 figure grid reference for the church? On your whiteboard Write down your answer

Now try a few on your own What is the 6 figure grid reference for Lodge Farm? Now try a few on your own What is the 6 figure grid reference for the school?

Now try a few on your own What is the 6 figure grid reference for the well? Now try a few on your own What is at 6 figure grid reference 325

456? Exam Questions The exam boards use OS maps, though to a highly variable degree. Most seek to use them for analytical and interpretative purposes Descriptive accounts usually involve looking at physical or cultural elements on the map. The features are described in

terms of their relief, vegetative cover, or settlement and communications might also be described. Analysis in which map evidence is analysed, usually in relation to other mapped distributions. Synthesis in which analyses are collated to form a statement or interpretation of the physical and cultural features observed. Using the A3 map of

Newtown Linford. Write 5 questions that you think would come up in an exam:They could be about: Scale and distances Contour lines Symbols Analysing the difference between locations.