1. **State the problem:** A slug crawls 81 cm due west and then 74 cm due north. We need to find the bearing of the slug from its starting point, measured clockwise from north. 2. **Visualize the problem:** The slug's path forms a right-angled triangle where one leg is 81 cm (west direction) and the other leg is 74 cm (north direction). 3. **Define the bearing:** Bearing is the angle measured clockwise from north to the line connecting the start and end points. 4. **Use trigonometry:** Let $\theta$ be the angle west of north. We can use the tangent function: $$\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{81}{74}$$ 5. **Calculate $\theta$:** $$\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{81}{74}\right)$$ 6. **Evaluate $\theta$:** $$\theta \approx \tan^{-1}(1.0946) \approx 47.5^\circ$$ 7. **Find the bearing:** Bearing is measured clockwise from north, so the bearing is: $$\text{Bearing} = 360^\circ - 47.5^\circ = 312.5^\circ$$ 8. **Round to nearest degree:** $$\boxed{313^\circ}$$ So, the slug's bearing from its starting point is approximately 313 degrees.