Border Patrol Operations 1 Practice Exam - Practice Questions & Study Guide

The use of three satellites in GPS technology allows for the determination of both latitude and longitude coordinates. Each satellite transmits signals that provide information about its location and the precise time the signal was sent. The GPS receiver calculates the distance to each satellite based on the time delay of the received signals.

By knowing the positions of the satellites and the distances from them, the receiver can triangulate its own position, determining its latitude and longitude. With signals from three satellites, the receiver can solve for two dimensions: latitude and longitude.

However, to calculate elevation (the third dimension), a fourth satellite is usually required, as it provides an additional layer of data to accurately pinpoint height above sea level. Time synchronization, while related to the overall functioning of GPS, is more about the system's functionality and does not directly contribute to determining the geographic coordinates. Thus, the specific capability of pinpointing both latitude and longitude is accomplished with signals from three satellites, making this option the correct answer.