![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/SnellPotFigure1.png/640px-SnellPotFigure1.png&w=640&q=50)
Snellius–Pothenot problem
Problem in trigonometry / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In trigonometry, the Snellius–Pothenot problem is a problem first described in the context of planar surveying. Given three known points A, B, C, an observer at an unknown point P observes that the line segment AC subtends an angle α and the segment CB subtends an angle β; the problem is to determine the position of the point P. (See figure; the point denoted C is between A and B as seen from P).
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/SnellPotFigure1.png)
Since it involves the observation of known points from an unknown point, the problem is an example of resection. Historically it was first studied by Snellius, who found a solution around 1615.