John was facing S35°E. If he turned 90° in the anticlockwise direction, find his new direction.

Analyze the question: John faces S35°E, which is 35° east of due south. He turns 90° anticlockwise (as seen from above). We need his new bearing.

Concept: Convert to a three-figure bearing, measured clockwise from North.

• S35°E = 180° − 35° = 145°.
• Anticlockwise turning subtracts from the bearing; clockwise turning adds.

Solution:

1. Starting bearing = 145°.
2. Turn 90° anticlockwise: 145° − 90° = 055°.
3. A bearing of 055° is 55° from North toward East, which is N55°E.

Check with a picture: Facing south-south-east, with south at the bottom. Turning anticlockwise from facing south moves you toward the east (south → east → north → west). So he swings from S35°E toward East, and after 90° he faces northeast-ish, N55°E. This matches.

Answer: The new direction is N55°E, which is option C.

Tip: Convert compass directions to three-figure bearings first. Then anticlockwise means subtract, clockwise means add. Convert back at the end. Remember that bearing 0° to 90° is N…E, 90° to 180° is S…E, 180° to 270° is S…W, and 270° to 360° is N…W.