NCEES MCQ Surveying 2

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

47.397°

Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 3

The geodetic datum NAD83 is based on which reference ellipsoid?

Accepted Answer

GRS80

Answer

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

Question 4

A survey township contains how many sections?

Accepted Answer

36

Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Systematic error

Answer

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

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