MCQ Surveying Flashcards

A total station measures a horizontal angle of 47°23'48". Converted to decimal degrees, this equals:

Answer: 47.397°

Convert 23' to degrees: 23/60 = 0.3833°; convert 48" to degrees: 48/3600 = 0.01333°; total = 47 + 0.3833 + 0.0133 = 47.397°.

In differential leveling, the term 'foresight' (FS) refers to:

Answer: A rod reading taken on a new point to determine its elevation

A foresight is a rod reading taken on an unknown or new point to determine its elevation from the current instrument height.

The geodetic datum NAD83 is based on which reference ellipsoid?

Answer: GRS80

NAD83 uses the Geodetic Reference System 1980 (GRS80) ellipsoid as its reference surface.

A survey township contains how many sections?

Answer: 36

Under the Public Land Survey System, each township is divided into 36 sections, each nominally 1 mile × 1 mile (640 acres).

Which type of error in surveying is characterized by being consistent in magnitude and sign under the same conditions?

Answer: Systematic error

Systematic errors follow a definite pattern and remain consistent in sign and magnitude, making them correctable once the source is identified.

The closure error of a traverse is 0.45 ft and the total perimeter is 3,600 ft. The precision ratio is:

Answer: 1:8,000

Precision ratio = 1 / (perimeter / error) = 1 / (3600 / 0.45) = 1 / 8000.

A bearing of S 62°30' W is equivalent to which azimuth (measured clockwise from North)?

Answer: 242°30'

South bearings start at 180°; S 62°30' W = 180° + 62°30' = 242°30' azimuth.