What is the minimum number of GPS satellites required for precise latitude and longitude determination?

To determine precise latitude and longitude using GPS, a minimum of four satellites is required. This is because GPS employs a method known as trilateration to ascertain the precise location of a receiver on Earth.

When only one satellite is involved, it can determine a position along a sphere centered on that satellite. Adding a second satellite narrows the location possibilities to the intersection of two spheres, which provides two points. A third satellite can further refine this to a specific point by establishing a two-dimensional location by intersecting three spheres. However, to ascertain altitude along with latitude and longitude, a fourth satellite is essential.

The fourth satellite helps eliminate any potential errors in time delay, which is critical since GPS relies on precise timing signals from satellites to calculate distances. Therefore, to acquire all three-dimensional positional data accurately, including height, four satellites are necessary, making this the correct choice.