Description
Compare explicit animal-track heading changes using a positive half-turn tie convention.
Specimen measurements and animal observations depend on a defined body part, reference value, unit, and observation window. A mass fraction, size ratio, or timing share summarizes those inputs. The counting and measurement conventions must stay explicit when comparing specimens or records.
Compare explicit animal-track heading changes using a positive half-turn tie convention.
When to use this tool
Use Animal Track Turning Gap when you need to compare supplied specimen measurements or observation records under an explicit reference and denominator.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter previousHeading, nextHeading, suppliedReferenceTurn, fullTurn. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read signedTurn, residual. Use the output convention below.
Normalize the heading change modulo positive fullTurn into the shortest signed turn, then return residual=signedTurn-suppliedReferenceTurn. The exact half-turn tie is kept positive.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| previousHeading | Previous Heading | Required. Finite number. |
| nextHeading | Next Heading | Required. Finite number. |
| suppliedReferenceTurn | Supplied Reference Turn | Required. Finite number. |
| fullTurn | Positive angle representing one full revolution, such as 360 degrees or 2*pi radians. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| signedTurn | Signed Turn | Required. Finite number. |
| residual | Residual | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"previousHeading": 350,
"nextHeading": 10,
"suppliedReferenceTurn": 15,
"fullTurn": 360
},
"output": {
"signedTurn": 20,
"residual": 5
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- All headings and turns must share the unit represented by fullTurn. Only the heading difference is wrapped; the reference residual is not wrapped again, and no track or behavior is inferred.
- The field tables state structural bounds; the mechanics also specify cross-field constraints. Malformed inputs and unsupported domains cause errors. A successful false flag, empty branch value, or zero placeholder has the meaning stated above and is distinct from an input error.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Signed zero is exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use compatible measurements and observation records to verify the chosen denominator and reference before interpreting a specimen comparison.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Animal Track Foot Contact Reference
Resolve a supplied foot-contact displacement along a counterclockwise heading and its left normal.
- Animal Track Step Length
Return stepLength=hypot(secondX-firstX,secondY-firstY) for two supplied planar positions.