You write northing and easting as a coordinate pair, typically with easting first, followed by northing. This convention is crucial for specifying locations accurately.
Understanding Easting and Northing
- Easting: The eastward-measured distance from a defined origin, essentially the "x" coordinate.
- Northing: The northward-measured distance from a defined origin, essentially the "y" coordinate.
Convention: Easting First, Northing Second
The standard practice is to present the easting value before the northing value. This order must be adhered to for clear and unambiguous location identification.
Example: UTM Coordinates
Consider a location expressed in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates. An example, inspired by the reference provided, could be:
- UTM Zone: 11U
- Easting: 0594934
- Northing: 5636174
Therefore, this location in UTM Zone 11 is represented as: 11U 0594934 5636174. The easting (0594934) always comes before the northing (5636174).
Importance of Clarity
Always ensure you are clear about the coordinate system you are using (e.g., UTM, British National Grid, State Plane Coordinate System) and the units (e.g., meters, feet). This will prevent confusion and misinterpretation of the location.
Summary
To correctly write northing and easting, remember to put the easting value first, followed by the northing value, making sure to specify the coordinate system being used.
