How does GPS technology determine a user's exact location?

GPS technology works by using satellites to tell you exactly where you are on Earth.

Imagine you have a group of friends who each know your location from different places, like the top of a hill, the middle of a park, and near a lake. Each one calls out how far away they think you are. By listening to all those distances, you can figure out exactly where you are.

Satellites are like those friends in the sky. They send messages down to your phone or watch, telling them how far away they are from you. Your device gets these messages from at least four satellites, and it uses that information to calculate your exact spot on Earth, just like you would use distances from your friends to find where you are.

You need at least four because there are three directions in space, up-down, left-right, and forward-backward. The fourth helps make sure the answer is correct, even if something goes a little wrong with the message. It's like having one extra friend to help check your work!