How does GPS determine your location?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Measures satellite distances
Measures satellite distances ✓ — Correct! GPS works through trilateration using satellites. Your device receives signals from at least 4 GPS satellites orbiting Earth. Each satellite sends its location and timestamp. Your device calculates how far away each satellite is by measuring signal travel time (signals travel at light speed). With distances from multiple satellites, it can pinpoint your exact location - like drawing circles and finding where they intersect!
Connects to cell towers — Wrong. While cell towers can provide approximate location through triangulation, that's not GPS. GPS specifically uses satellite signals, not cellular towers, to determine precise position.
Uses internet location data — Wrong. GPS doesn't require internet - it only receives signals from satellites. Internet can help GPS load maps and speed up initial location lock, but position calculation is done using satellite signals alone.
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