North By East for Dummies

"North by East" is a term used to describe a specific direction on a compass. You see, a compass is a magical tool that helps us navigate and find our way in the big wide world. It has a needle that always points to the north, which is one of the four main cardinal directions. We have north, south, east, and west, just like the four corners of a square.

Now, imagine this compass as a big clock, where north is at 12 o'clock. East would be at the 3 o'clock position, and west at 9 o'clock. So, what happens if we want to find a point that's not exactly on the east or northeast, but a little more towards the north? That's where "North by East" comes in!

When we say "North by East," we are referring to a direction that lies between north and northeast. It's like walking on a path that's a bit diagonal from the north, but still closer to north than northeast. It's almost like saying "let's go a little north, but also a little towards the east."

For example, if we're standing facing straight north, and we turn a little to the right, towards the east, but not too much, we would be heading "North by East." It's a direction that's more north than northeast, but not as north as due north.

Think of it like cooking a delicious pizza. You're following a recipe that says to bake it at 400 degrees, but you want it a little hotter. So, you set the oven to 425 degrees, which is still a bit hotter than the recipe, but not as hot as going all the way to 450 degrees. Similarly, "North by East" is like adjusting our compass direction slightly, without going all the way to northeast.

So next time you look at a compass, just remember that "North by East" means going a little bit towards the east while keeping mostly north. It's like taking a small detour on your journey, exploring a bit towards the east without losing sight of your main goal, which is heading north. And with "North by East," you'll always have a better sense of where you are, where you're going, and how to navigate the world around you."