A Global Positioning System (GPS) device can determine its position on Earth once it(1 point)

Responses

A) knows its distance from at least two satellites and uses the process of triangulation.

B) knows its distance from at least one satellite and uses the process of triangulation.

C) knows its distance from at least four satellites and uses the process of triangulation.

D) knows its distance from at least three satellites and uses the process of triangulation.

1 answer

The correct response is:

D) knows its distance from at least three satellites and uses the process of triangulation.

To accurately determine its position in three-dimensional space (latitude, longitude, and altitude), a GPS receiver typically needs to calculate its distance from at least four satellites. This allows it to address the fourth variable, which accounts for the time delay in the signal and enables a more accurate position fix. However, the core function of triangulation (or trilateration in this context) involves using three satellites to get a position fix in two dimensions, but for a fully accurate positioning including altitude, four satellites are essential.