[daltore]

These 3 numbers could just all be outputs of a computer-based calculator program (most of them that I've worked with output to 6 digits unless otherwise specified). So that leaves us with these possibilities:

1) Rotation sequence (42 degrees clockwise, 71 counter-clockwise, 342 clockwise). At first, I thought this might be a combination lock, but that won't work for a standard one because it's divided into 40 numbers, so each division represents and even 9 degrees.
2) Rotation rate (such as that of a motor, where the negative would just be the opposite direction).
3) Voltage and/or current (in mA, of course) where the negative would be a negative voltage on the positive electrode and a positive voltage on the common (assuming we're talking about a multimeter or a motor with marked terminals).
4) Relative motion (42 units forward, 71 back...)

I agree, don't get stuck on lat and lon, as curious as it is.