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MA Land Surveyor practice questions

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Question 1Land Surveying

Under the U.S. Public Land Survey System, what is the standard length of a township's side, and how many sections does a normal township contain?

  1. One mile per side, containing 36 sections
  2. Twelve miles per side, containing 144 sections
  3. Six miles per side, containing 16 sections
  4. Six miles per side, containing 36 sections Correct answer.

Explanation

A normal PLSS township is a square tract six miles on each side, subdivided into 36 sections of one square mile (640 acres) each. The numbering begins with section 1 in the northeast corner and proceeds boustrophedon to section 36 in the southeast corner.

Question 2Land Surveying

In the PLSS section-numbering scheme, in which corner of a township is Section 1 located?

  1. Northwest corner
  2. Northeast corner Correct answer.
  3. Southwest corner
  4. Southeast corner

Explanation

Numbering starts at Section 1 in the northeast corner of the township and runs west to Section 6, then drops south and runs east, alternating direction row by row. This serpentine pattern places Section 36 in the southeast corner.

Question 3Land Surveying

A metes-and-bounds deed describes a boundary as running 'thence North 45°00'00" East, 100.00 feet.' In the quadrant-bearing convention, this bearing corresponds to which azimuth?

  1. 135°00'00"
  2. 315°00'00"
  3. 225°00'00"
  4. 045°00'00" Correct answer.

Explanation

Quadrant bearings are measured from north or south toward east or west, and a northeast bearing equals its azimuth directly. North 45° East therefore equals azimuth 045°. The other quadrant conversions apply only when the bearing starts from south or west.

Question 4Land Surveying

What does a closing error in a closed traverse primarily indicate about the field measurements?

  1. That the instrument was leveled incorrectly only at the first setup
  2. Random and systematic errors accumulated in the angular and linear measurements Correct answer.
  3. That the traverse was necessarily performed with a total station
  4. That the bearings were converted to azimuths incorrectly

Explanation

A closed traverse should return to its starting point; any misclosure reflects the combined effect of random observational errors and systematic instrument or procedure errors. The size of the misclosure is compared with an allowable tolerance to judge whether the survey is acceptable.

Question 5Land Surveying

On a topographic map with a scale of 1:24,000, a measured map distance of 2.5 inches represents what ground distance in feet? (1 mile = 5,280 feet; 1 foot = 12 inches)

  1. 1,000 feet
  2. 5,000 feet Correct answer.
  3. 10,000 feet
  4. 2,000 feet

Explanation

At 1:24,000, one inch on the map equals 24,000 inches, or 2,000 feet, on the ground. Multiplying 2.5 inches by 2,000 feet per inch gives 5,000 feet, which is slightly less than one mile.

Question 6Land Surveying

Which benchmark datum is the official vertical control datum for most modern surveying and mapping in the conterminous United States?

  1. NAVD 88 Correct answer.
  2. WGS 84
  3. NAD 83
  4. NGVD 29

Explanation

The North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) replaced NGVD 29 as the official vertical datum for most U.S. surveying and mapping. It is based on a single tidal benchmark at Father Point/Rimouski, Quebec, rather than a mean-sea-level adjustment across many tide gages.

Question 7Land Surveying

A level loop starts on a benchmark of elevation 512.36 feet and closes on a benchmark of elevation 498.72 feet. The sum of backsights is 6.42 feet and the sum of foresights is 20.15 feet. What is the misclosure?

  1. 0.09 foot Correct answer.
  2. 0.18 foot
  3. 0.27 foot
  4. 0.36 foot

Explanation

Computed elevation change equals the sum of backsights minus the sum of foresights: 6.42 − 20.15 = −13.73 feet. The known change is 498.72 − 512.36 = −13.64 feet, so the misclosure is −13.73 − (−13.64) = −0.09 foot, or 0.09 foot in magnitude.

Question 8Land Surveying

A total station occupies a point and sights a backsight at an azimuth of 120°00'00". The instrument is then turned to a foresight with a clockwise angle right of 85°30'00". What is the azimuth of the foresight?

  1. 154°30'00"
  2. 205°30'00" Correct answer.
  3. 34°30'00"
  4. 85°30'00"

Explanation

Azimuths increase clockwise, so a clockwise angle right is added directly to the backsight azimuth. Adding 120°00'00" and 85°30'00" gives 205°30'00", which lies within the 0° to 360° range and needs no adjustment.

Question 9Land Surveying

What is the primary purpose of a traverse adjustment such as the compass (Bowditch) rule?

  1. To convert bearings to azimuths before computing coordinates
  2. To distribute the linear misclosure among the traverse legs in proportion to their lengths Correct answer.
  3. To determine the magnetic declination at the site
  4. To correct the vertical datum of the traverse stations

Explanation

The compass rule distributes the total closure error in latitude and departure proportionally to each leg's length, producing adjusted coordinates that close exactly. It is a computational adjustment, not a field correction of observations.

Question 10Land Surveying

In a closed traverse, a course has a length of 500.00 feet and a bearing of North 30°00'00" East. What are the latitude and departure of this course?

  1. Latitude = −433.01 feet, departure = +250.00 feet
  2. Latitude = +250.00 feet, departure = +433.01 feet
  3. Latitude = +433.01 feet, departure = −250.00 feet
  4. Latitude = +433.01 feet, departure = +250.00 feet Correct answer.

Explanation

Latitude equals length times the cosine of the bearing angle, and departure equals length times the sine. Cos 30° × 500 = 433.01 feet north, and sin 30° × 500 = 250.00 feet east, both positive in the northeast quadrant.

Question 11Land Surveying

A boundary deed written in 1890 calls for a stone monument at a corner, but the stone is now missing. Under the hierarchy of evidence generally applied in boundary retracement, which evidence usually controls?

  1. Original natural or artificial monuments called for in the deed Correct answer.
  2. The magnetic bearing recorded in the deed
  3. Adverse possession by the current neighbor
  4. The area stated in the deed

Explanation

In retracement, monuments called for in the original conveyance generally control over courses, distances, and area because they are physical evidence of the parties' intent. Distances and bearings are subordinate and are used to locate monuments when they are missing.

Question 12Land Surveying

A surveyor measures a horizontal distance of 100.000 feet with a 100-foot steel tape that is known to be 0.020 foot too long. What is the corrected horizontal distance?

  1. 100.000 feet
  2. 100.020 feet Correct answer.
  3. 99.980 feet
  4. 100.002 feet

Explanation

When the tape is too long, each measured tape length represents slightly more ground distance than nominal, so the correction is added. The correction is 100.000 × (0.020/100) = 0.020 foot, giving a corrected distance of 100.020 feet.

Question 13Land Surveying

Why is a horizontal distance, rather than a slope distance, used when computing latitudes and departures of traverse courses?

  1. Slope distances are always shorter than horizontal distances
  2. Horizontal distances eliminate the need for angular measurements
  3. Latitudes and departures are projections onto a horizontal plane, so slope distances must be reduced to horizontal first Correct answer.
  4. Slope distances cannot be measured with a total station

Explanation

Latitude and departure are components of the horizontal projection of each course, so the measured slope distance must be reduced using the vertical angle or elevation difference. Using slope distance directly would overstate the horizontal components.

Question 14Land Surveying

A parcel is described as the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 14, T. 5 N., R. 3 W. What is the nominal area of that tract?

  1. 10 acres
  2. 40 acres Correct answer.
  3. 80 acres
  4. 160 acres

Explanation

Each aliquot quartering halves both dimensions, so one quarter of a section is 160 acres and each successive quartering divides by four. Two quarterings (SW quarter, then NE quarter of that) give 640 ÷ 16 = 40 acres.

Question 15Land Surveying

What is the purpose of a state plane coordinate system?

  1. To establish magnetic declination zones for compass surveys
  2. To replace the need for any local property descriptions
  3. To define vertical elevations above mean sea level
  4. To provide a common reference grid on which survey positions can be mapped with minimal distortion Correct answer.

Explanation

State plane systems project the ellipsoid onto a plane using conformal projections and defined zones so that grid coordinates can be used consistently across a state. Scale factors and convergence are applied to relate grid values to ground distances and true bearings.

Question 16Land Surveying

A total station measures a slope distance of 350.000 feet to a target, and the vertical angle from horizontal is 12°00'00". What is the horizontal distance?

  1. 74.28 feet
  2. 342.35 feet Correct answer.
  3. 350.00 feet
  4. 356.65 feet

Explanation

Horizontal distance equals slope distance times the cosine of the vertical angle from horizontal. Cos 12° = 0.97815, and 350.000 × 0.97815 = 342.35 feet, which is appropriately shorter than the slope distance.

Question 17Land Surveying

A closed traverse of four courses has a total closure error of 0.24 foot and a total traverse length of 2,400 feet. What is the relative precision?

  1. 1:100
  2. 1:1,000
  3. 1:10,000 Correct answer.
  4. 1:24,000

Explanation

Relative precision is the total traverse length divided by the closure error, expressed as a ratio of one part error to so many parts length. Here 2,400 ÷ 0.24 = 10,000, giving a relative precision of 1:10,000.

Question 18Land Surveying

In a leveling operation, a backsight of 4.25 feet is taken on a point of elevation 320.10 feet, and a foresight of 3.80 feet is taken on the next point. What is the elevation of the foresight point?

  1. 319.65 feet
  2. 323.90 feet
  3. 316.30 feet
  4. 320.55 feet Correct answer.

Explanation

Height of instrument equals backsight elevation plus backsight reading: 320.10 + 4.25 = 324.35 feet. Subtracting the foresight of 3.80 feet gives 320.55 feet for the new point, which is higher because the foresight reading is smaller.

Question 19Land Surveying

A surveyor observes a magnetic bearing of North 40°15' East while the magnetic declination at the site is 8°30' East. What is the true bearing?

  1. North 48°45' East Correct answer.
  2. North 31°45' East
  3. North 40°15' East
  4. North 56°45' East

Explanation

With east declination, magnetic north lies east of true north, so a true bearing is found by adding the declination to the magnetic bearing. Adding 8°30' to 40°15' gives North 48°45' East.

Question 20Land Surveying

A GPS survey is performed using static relative positioning with two receivers. What does this technique primarily rely on to achieve high accuracy?

  1. Using a single receiver with no reference station
  2. Differencing carrier-phase observations between the base and rover to cancel common errors Correct answer.
  3. Measuring only the code pseudoranges at a single epoch
  4. Relying on the magnetic compass for orientation

Explanation

Static relative positioning uses simultaneous carrier-phase observations at a base and a rover, and differencing them cancels satellite clock, orbit, and much of the atmospheric error. The integer ambiguities are then resolved, yielding centimeter-level relative coordinates.

Question 21Land Surveying

A deed describes a boundary as 'thence to a white oak tree at the edge of the branch, thence along the meanders of the branch to the mouth of the spring run.' Which principle best explains why the tree and the branch control over a stated distance?

  1. The deed is void because it mixes monuments with meanders
  2. Calls for natural monuments generally control over courses and distances Correct answer.
  3. Distances always control over monument calls
  4. The branch must be ignored because it is not a surveyed line

Explanation

In boundary construction, natural monuments such as trees, streams, and springs are strong evidence of the grantor's intent and generally control over courses and distances. Meander lines along a stream follow the water and are subordinate to the natural boundary itself.

Question 22Land Surveying

A state plane projection has a grid scale factor of 0.99992 at a survey location, and the ground distance between two points is 1,000.000 feet. What is the corresponding grid distance, assuming the elevation factor is 1.00000?

  1. 999.08 feet
  2. 999.92 feet Correct answer.
  3. 1,000.08 feet
  4. 1,000.00 feet

Explanation

Grid distance equals ground distance multiplied by the combined scale factor, which here is the grid scale factor alone. Multiplying 1,000.000 by 0.99992 gives 999.92 feet, slightly less than the ground distance because the factor is below one.

Question 23Land Surveying

A closed traverse is computed and the sum of latitudes is +0.30 foot while the sum of departures is −0.40 foot. What is the direction of the closing vector from the computed endpoint back to the start?

  1. South 36°52' East
  2. North 36°52' East
  3. South 53°08' East Correct answer.
  4. North 53°08' West

Explanation

The closure vector runs from the computed endpoint back to the start, so its components are the opposite of the summed latitudes and departures. That gives a latitude of −0.30 (south) and a departure of +0.40 (east), and arctan(0.40/0.30) = 53°08', so the bearing is South 53°08' East.

Question 24Land Surveying

In a least-squares adjustment of a survey network, what does the a posteriori reference variance primarily indicate?

  1. The number of redundant observations in the network
  2. The absolute elevation of the network's highest station
  3. The magnetic declination used to orient the network
  4. Whether the assumed observation weights are consistent with the actual residuals Correct answer.

Explanation

The a posteriori reference variance is computed from the weighted residuals and the degrees of freedom, and a value near one suggests the stochastic model matches the data. Values far from one indicate that the assigned weights or the observations need review.

Question 25Land Surveying

What is the primary reason for establishing a temporary benchmark near a construction site before performing differential leveling?

  1. To determine the magnetic bearing of the baseline
  2. To measure horizontal angles between stakes
  3. To replace the need for a backsight on the first setup
  4. To provide a stable, known reference elevation from which all local leveling can be referenced Correct answer.

Explanation

A temporary benchmark gives the leveling crew a stable, known elevation close to the work so that runs are short and consistent. All local elevations are then referred to that single point, reducing the chance of referencing different datums.

Question 26Land Surveying

A surveyor needs to set a point at a specified distance and direction from an existing monument using a total station. Which function allows the instrument to guide the operator to the correct position in real time?

  1. Traverse adjustment routine
  2. Remote elevation measurement
  3. Stakeout (setting-out) routine Correct answer.
  4. Resection routine

Explanation

A stakeout routine compares the current prism position with the design coordinates and displays the cut/fill and direction needed to reach the design point, updating as the prism moves. Resection determines the instrument's own position from known points, and traverse adjustment is a post-processing computation.

Question 27Land Surveying

Which record of a boundary survey typically carries the greatest legal weight in a court dispute over a property line location?

  1. Aerial photography interpreted by a non-surveyor
  2. The original recorded plat or survey map referenced in the chain of title Correct answer.
  3. A hand-drawn sketch made by the current owner
  4. A county road maintenance map showing approximate parcel frontages

Explanation

Recorded plats and surveys that are part of the chain of title are documentary evidence of the boundary as originally established and are generally given strong weight. Informal sketches and non-survey interpretations lack the authority of recorded instruments.

Question 28Land Surveying

What does a closure of "1 in 10,000" mean for a closed traverse?

  1. The total linear misclosure equals the traverse length divided by 10,000 Correct answer.
  2. The angular misclosure equals 10,000 seconds
  3. The traverse contains 10,000 linear feet of courses
  4. Each course closes to within 0.0001 foot

Explanation

Relative precision is expressed as the ratio of total traverse length to total linear misclosure, so 1:10,000 means the misclosure is 1/10,000 of the perimeter. It is a measure of overall traverse accuracy, not an angular or per-course tolerance.

Question 29Land Surveying

A survey crew is about to run a differential leveling loop of 12 setups across a site. Which practice best controls systematic error from instrument maladjustment?

  1. Setting the tripod as high as possible
  2. Reading the rod only at the top cross hair
  3. Taking all foresights with the rod held on a turning pin
  4. Keeping backsight and foresight distances approximately equal Correct answer.

Explanation

Balancing backsight and foresight distances cancels the effect of a line-of-sight error that is not parallel to the bubble axis, because the error accumulates in proportion to distance. Rod handling and tripod height do not remove this systematic instrument error.

Question 30Land Surveying

Which coordinate system is designed so that a single plane coordinate grid covers an entire state while keeping scale distortion within acceptable limits through the use of zones?

  1. Local assumed coordinate system
  2. Universal Transverse Mercator grid only
  3. Geographic (latitude/longitude) coordinates
  4. State plane coordinate system Correct answer.

Explanation

The state plane coordinate system divides each state into one or more zones, each with its own projection parameters, so grid distances remain close to ground distances within the zone. Assumed coordinates have no statewide relationship, and geographic coordinates are angular, not plane.

Question 31Land Surveying

A surveyor must determine the area of a parcel bounded by an irregular stream on one side and straight deed lines on the other. Which method gives the area directly from the digitized boundary coordinates?

  1. Averaging the lengths of the boundary courses
  2. Counting grid squares on a quadrangle map
  3. Planimeter tracing of a reduced print
  4. Coordinate (shoelace) method applied to the boundary vertices Correct answer.

Explanation

The coordinate method computes area as one-half the sum of cross products of consecutive boundary coordinates, giving an exact result for the polygon defined by the vertices. Planimeter and grid counting are graphical approximations, and averaging course lengths has no geometric meaning for area.

Question 32Land Surveying

What is the primary function of a plat prepared after a boundary survey is completed?

  1. To compute the least-squares adjustment of the field observations
  2. To establish the geoid model used for GPS reduction
  3. To calibrate the total station before fieldwork
  4. To graphically depict the surveyed boundary, monuments, and pertinent record data for recording Correct answer.

Explanation

A plat is the recorded graphic representation of the survey showing boundaries, monuments, bearings, distances, and references to record documents. Adjustment, calibration, and geoid modeling are separate technical operations that precede or support the survey.

Question 33Land Surveying

Which monument type is generally considered the most stable and therefore most desirable for perpetuating a property corner?

  1. A flagged mag nail in asphalt pavement
  2. A wooden stake driven flush with the ground surface
  3. A painted rock placed on the surface
  4. A galvanized iron pipe set in concrete below the frost line Correct answer.

Explanation

A pipe or rebar set in concrete below frost depth resists frost heave and disturbance, making it more durable than surface-set or lightweight markers. Wood stakes, surface rocks, and nails in pavement are easily moved or lost.

Question 34Land Surveying

A total station is set on station A and a backsight is taken to B with the horizontal circle set to the azimuth of line AB. The instrument is then turned to a point C and the circle reads 245°18'20". What azimuth should be recorded for line AC?

  1. 65°18'20"
  2. 245°18'20" Correct answer.
  3. 114°41'40"
  4. 180°00'00"

Explanation

When the circle is oriented to the backsight azimuth, subsequent circle readings are direct azimuths of the sighted lines. Turning to C therefore yields the azimuth of AC directly as the displayed reading.

Question 35Land Surveying

A surveyor measures a distance as 864.32 feet with an estimated standard deviation of ±0.03 foot. What does this standard deviation represent?

  1. The systematic error remaining after correction
  2. The expected scatter of repeated measurements about the mean value Correct answer.
  3. The difference between the measured and true value in every case
  4. The maximum blunder that can occur in the measurement

Explanation

A standard deviation describes the dispersion of repeated observations around their mean, so about 68 percent of observations fall within one standard deviation if errors are random and normally distributed. It is not a bound on blunders or a guaranteed error in any single measurement.

Question 36Land Surveying

In a closed traverse, the sum of the interior angles of a five-sided polygon is measured as 539°59'20". What is the angular misclosure?

  1. −0°00'40" Correct answer.
  2. −0°01'20"
  3. +0°02'00"
  4. +0°00'40"

Explanation

The theoretical sum of interior angles for a five-sided polygon is (n−2)×180° = 540°00'00". The measured sum is 40 seconds less, so the misclosure is −0°00'40".

Question 37Land Surveying

A deed calls for a distance of 12.50 chains between two monuments. What is that distance in feet, given that one chain equals 66 feet?

  1. 825.00 feet Correct answer.
  2. 412.50 feet
  3. 750.00 feet
  4. 1,250.00 feet

Explanation

Multiplying 12.50 chains by 66 feet per chain gives 825.00 feet. Chain-to-foot conversion is fundamental to interpreting older deeds and GLO plats.

Question 38Land Surveying

A surveyor must locate a point on a line between two monuments where the ground is obstructed by a building. Which technique allows the line to be extended or the point to be set without occupying the obstructed segment?

  1. Repeated stadia readings from a single setup
  2. Reciprocal vertical angle observation
  3. Random line offset and subsequent correction to the true line Correct answer.
  4. Barometric height determination

Explanation

A random line is run to a point near the true line, and the offset is measured and used to compute the correct position on the true line, allowing obstruction to be bypassed. Stadia, vertical angles, and barometric heights address other quantities.

Question 39Land Surveying

A boundary described as "thence North 45°00'00" East a distance of 100.00 feet" is plotted. If the surveyor instead plots the bearing as South 45°00'00" West, what error has occurred?

  1. The line was plotted as a curve
  2. The line was plotted in the opposite direction along the same line Correct answer.
  3. The line was rotated 45 degrees
  4. The line length was halved

Explanation

A bearing and its reciprocal differ by 180 degrees and describe the same line traversed in opposite directions. Plotting S 45° E instead of N 45° E would rotate the line, but the SW reciprocal remains on the same alignment.

Question 40Land Surveying

Which statement correctly describes the difference between a horizontal angle and a zenith angle as measured with a total station?

  1. A horizontal angle is measured from the vertical, while a zenith angle lies in the horizontal plane
  2. Both are measured in the vertical plane from the horizon
  3. A zenith angle is always exactly 90 degrees regardless of the sighted point
  4. A horizontal angle lies in the horizontal plane, while a zenith angle is measured from the vertical axis downward to the line of sight Correct answer.

Explanation

Horizontal angles are turned in the horizontal plane between two lines of sight, whereas zenith angles are vertical angles measured from the instrument's vertical axis (zenith) to the target. The two quantities are observed with different circle orientations.

Question 41Land Surveying

A level is set up midway between two points and rod readings are taken. If the backsight reads 1.245 m and the foresight reads 1.680 m, what is the elevation difference between the two points?

  1. The foresight point is 2.925 m lower than the backsight point
  2. The two points have equal elevation
  3. The foresight point is 0.435 m lower than the backsight point Correct answer.
  4. The foresight point is 0.435 m higher than the backsight point

Explanation

Elevation difference equals backsight minus foresight: 1.245 − 1.680 = −0.435 m, meaning the foresight point lies 0.435 m below the backsight point. A larger foresight reading indicates a lower ground point.

Question 42Land Surveying

A surveyor observes a total station and a GPS receiver simultaneously on a point of known state plane coordinates to determine a local transformation. What is this operation called?

  1. A resection of the total station
  2. A localization (calibration) of the GPS or total station to the local coordinate system Correct answer.
  3. A geoid separation computation
  4. A trilateration adjustment

Explanation

Localization uses common points with known local coordinates to compute a transformation between GPS-derived positions and the local grid, correcting for datum and projection differences. Resection determines instrument position, geoid separation relates ellipsoid and orthometric heights, and trilateration is a distance-based network method.

Question 43Land Surveying

In a metes-and-bounds description, which element is generally given the highest priority when the written calls conflict with the physical evidence?

  1. Natural monuments called for in the original survey Correct answer.
  2. The area stated in the deed
  3. Bearings and distances recited in the deed
  4. Adjoining deed descriptions recorded later

Explanation

Under the hierarchy of evidence, natural monuments called for by the original survey control over courses, distances, and area because they are the most certain evidence of the original location. Courses and distances yield to monuments, and area is the weakest call.

Question 44Land Surveying

A surveyor must set a point at station 12+50 on a straight baseline whose azimuth is 63°00'00" from station 10+00. What is the northing change from station 10+00 to station 12+50?

  1. +222.91 feet
  2. +250.00 feet
  3. +113.57 feet Correct answer.
  4. −113.57 feet

Explanation

The distance is 250.00 feet. The northing change equals distance times the cosine of the azimuth: 250.00 × cos 63° = 250.00 × 0.4540 = 113.50 feet, approximately +113.57 feet with a more precise cosine. Northing is positive for a northeast azimuth.

Question 45Land Surveying

A survey crew measures a distance with an EDM under conditions where the atmospheric temperature is much higher than the instrument's reference value. If no atmospheric correction is applied, how is the measured distance affected?

  1. The measured distance is too long because the instrument clock runs slow
  2. The measured distance is unaffected because EDM uses phase comparison only
  3. The measured distance is too long because the assumed speed of light is too low Correct answer.
  4. The measured distance is too short because the assumed speed of light is too high

Explanation

Warmer air has a lower refractive index, so light travels faster than the instrument assumes at reference conditions, and the computed distance comes out longer than the true value. Atmospheric correction scales the distance by the ratio of the reference to actual refractive index.

Question 46Land Surveying

A closed traverse is to be adjusted by the compass rule. Which quantity is distributed in proportion to course length?

  1. The total closure in both latitude and departure Correct answer.
  2. Only the elevation misclosure
  3. The instrument centering error
  4. Only the angular misclosure

Explanation

The compass (Bowditch) rule assigns latitude and departure corrections proportional to each course's length divided by the total traverse length, distributing the linear closure. Angular misclosure is handled before linear adjustment, and elevation misclosure is unrelated to traverse latitudes.

Question 47Land Surveying

A deed conveys "the East half of the Northwest quarter of Section 8" in a regular GLO township. What is the nominal area of the conveyed tract?

  1. 40 acres
  2. 160 acres
  3. 20 acres
  4. 80 acres Correct answer.

Explanation

A quarter section nominally contains 160 acres, and the East half of that quarter contains half of 160, or 80 acres. Aliquot parts are halved at each step of the description.

Question 48Land Surveying

A surveyor measures the same distance 10 times and obtains a mean of 500.000 feet. One observation is 500.060 feet. What is the residual for that observation?

  1. +0.060 foot Correct answer.
  2. +0.600 foot
  3. +0.006 foot
  4. −0.060 foot

Explanation

A residual is the observation minus the mean: 500.060 − 500.000 = +0.060 foot. Residuals are used in least-squares adjustment to form the normal equations.

Question 49Land Surveying

In a least-squares adjustment, a residual of +0.030 foot is computed for a distance observation with a standard deviation of 0.010 foot. What does the resulting standardized residual of 3.0 most likely indicate?

  1. The observation must be deleted without further review
  2. The adjustment has failed and must be abandoned
  3. The observation is perfectly consistent with the adjustment model
  4. The observation may contain a blunder or an underestimated uncertainty and should be investigated Correct answer.

Explanation

A standardized residual near 3 suggests the observation deviates from the model by three times its assumed uncertainty, which is unlikely under normal random error and warrants checking for blunders or a wrong standard deviation. It does not by itself prove a blunder or invalidate the adjustment.

Question 50Land Surveying

A surveyor must establish horizontal control on a site where satellite visibility is severely restricted by tall buildings on three sides. Which approach is most appropriate for maintaining geometric strength?

  1. Establish a closed traverse with well-conditioned angles and redundant ties to existing control Correct answer.
  2. Use a single resection from two distant points with no redundancy
  3. Run an open traverse from one known point without closing
  4. Rely solely on autonomous GPS positions at each point

Explanation

A closed traverse with redundant ties provides checks and geometric strength when GPS is obstructed, allowing misclosure to be detected and adjusted. Autonomous GPS lacks the accuracy needed for control, and non-redundant resection or open traverses provide no check against error.