Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line Sailing

This work tackles the problem of misconception when using sophisticated mathematical tools, nonlinear optimization in this particular case, to solve a navigational problem. Namely, to reach the Great Circle vertex with two rhumb line legs ensuing the optimized distance, an initial rhumb line course...

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Main Author: Petrović Miljenko
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sciendo 2017-06-01
Series:Polish Maritime Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/pomr-2017-0045
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author Petrović Miljenko
author_facet Petrović Miljenko
author_sort Petrović Miljenko
collection DOAJ
description This work tackles the problem of misconception when using sophisticated mathematical tools, nonlinear optimization in this particular case, to solve a navigational problem. Namely, to reach the Great Circle vertex with two rhumb line legs ensuing the optimized distance, an initial rhumb line course equal to the orthodromic course at middle latitude may be used. The initial course is thereupon optimized by the incremental value steps. The optimized distance is achieved if the rhumb line course is altered towards the vertex at the orthodrome-loxodrome intersection point. As determination of this point cannot be formulated in a closed form, an iterative solution is to be applied. The derived transcendental equation forms a basis for an iterative solution of intersection using the Newton-Raphson method. To the contrary, finding solutions to a system of nonlinear equations can mislead a researcher unable to comprehend and grasp the mathematical meanings of the algorithm. The gist of this essay is a novel concept showing an intrinsic property i.e. orthodrome-loxodrome correlation using a well-known formula.
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spelling doaj.art-c4cbf09f1fea479a9652936f1996a5002022-12-21T22:39:36ZengSciendoPolish Maritime Research2083-74292017-06-01242131610.1515/pomr-2017-0045pomr-2017-0045Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line SailingPetrović Miljenko0Stonska 1A, 10020 Zagreb, CroatiaThis work tackles the problem of misconception when using sophisticated mathematical tools, nonlinear optimization in this particular case, to solve a navigational problem. Namely, to reach the Great Circle vertex with two rhumb line legs ensuing the optimized distance, an initial rhumb line course equal to the orthodromic course at middle latitude may be used. The initial course is thereupon optimized by the incremental value steps. The optimized distance is achieved if the rhumb line course is altered towards the vertex at the orthodrome-loxodrome intersection point. As determination of this point cannot be formulated in a closed form, an iterative solution is to be applied. The derived transcendental equation forms a basis for an iterative solution of intersection using the Newton-Raphson method. To the contrary, finding solutions to a system of nonlinear equations can mislead a researcher unable to comprehend and grasp the mathematical meanings of the algorithm. The gist of this essay is a novel concept showing an intrinsic property i.e. orthodrome-loxodrome correlation using a well-known formula.https://doi.org/10.1515/pomr-2017-0045marine navigationmiddle latitudemiddle longitudeorthodromeloxodrome
spellingShingle Petrović Miljenko
Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line Sailing
Polish Maritime Research
marine navigation
middle latitude
middle longitude
orthodrome
loxodrome
title Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line Sailing
title_full Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line Sailing
title_fullStr Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line Sailing
title_full_unstemmed Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line Sailing
title_short Middle Rules and Rhumb-Line Sailing
title_sort middle rules and rhumb line sailing
topic marine navigation
middle latitude
middle longitude
orthodrome
loxodrome
url https://doi.org/10.1515/pomr-2017-0045
work_keys_str_mv AT petrovicmiljenko middlerulesandrhumblinesailing