RPLS Quality Control Procedures 3

Question 1

Which statistical measure describes the spread of repeated observations around their mean value?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Standard deviation (σ) quantifies the dispersion of individual observations about the mean and is the fundamental measure of precision.

Question 2

During a control survey, the surveyor computes an angular misclosure of 42 seconds for a 7-sided polygon traverse. What is the per-angle correction?

Accepted Answer

−6 seconds per angle

Answer

The misclosure of 42 seconds is distributed equally by subtracting 6 seconds (42 ÷ 7) from each measured interior angle.

Question 3

A 'peg test' on a level instrument is designed to detect and correct which condition?

Accepted Answer

The line of sight not being truly horizontal (collimation error)

Answer

The peg test determines whether the instrument's line of sight is truly horizontal when the bubble is centered, detecting and correcting the i-angle (collimation error).

Question 4

In a GPS survey, what does a PDOP (Position Dilution of Precision) value greater than 6 indicate?

Accepted Answer

Poor satellite geometry that may degrade positional accuracy

Answer

PDOP > 6 indicates poor satellite geometry where satellites are clustered close together, weakening the three-dimensional position solution.

Question 5

What is the primary QC benefit of computing the 'compass rule' (Bowditch) adjustment vs. simply accepting raw traverse coordinates?

Accepted Answer

It distributes linear misclosure proportionally to leg length, producing consistent adjusted coordinates

Answer

The compass rule adjusts latitudes and departures in proportion to each leg's length, distributing linear misclosure to produce geometrically consistent final coordinates.

(RPLS) Registered Professional Land Surveyor Practice Test

(RPLS) Registered Professional Land Surveyor Practice Test

RPLS Quality Control Procedures 3