FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Coordinate Geometry (COGO) & Area Calculation

Question 1

What does COGO stand for in surveying?

Accepted Answer

Coordinate Geometry

Answer

COGO (Coordinate Geometry) is the mathematical framework used to compute positions, distances, angles, and areas from coordinate data.

Question 2

What formula is used in the 'coordinate method' (shoelace formula) to compute traverse area?

Accepted Answer

Area = 0.5 times the absolute sum of (Xn times Yn+1 minus Xn+1 times Yn)

Answer

The coordinate (cross-product / shoelace) formula computes area as half the absolute value of the algebraic sum of cross-products of successive coordinates.

Question 3

A parcel has a computed area of 87,120 sq ft. How many acres is this?

Accepted Answer

2 acres

Answer

1 acre = 43,560 sq ft; 87,120 divided by 43,560 = 2 acres.

Question 4

In state plane coordinates, what is the 'scale factor'?

Accepted Answer

The ratio used to correct ground distances to grid distances

Answer

The scale factor is a multiplier applied to ground distances to obtain grid distances on the state plane projection, varying slightly across each zone.

Question 5

What is the 'combined factor' in state plane surveying?

Accepted Answer

Scale factor times elevation factor, used to convert ground distances to grid distances

Answer

The combined factor = scale factor times elevation (sea-level) factor, allowing direct conversion from ground distances to grid distances.

FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Practice Test

FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Practice Test

FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Coordinate Geometry (COGO) & Area Calculation