Question 1 of 45Measurement analysis · Recall
Which of the following is a systematic error?
Practice · 45 questions
Measurement analysis
Error theory as an exam actually tests it: systematic versus random error, standard deviation, propagation through sums and products, weights, and closure tolerances.
What this subject area expects
- Compute the mean, standard deviation and standard error of a set of observations
- Propagate random error through a sum, a series and a product
- Form weights from standard deviations and compute a weighted mean
- Judge a traverse or level loop against a stated tolerance
Topics covered here
Error types · Mean and residuals · Standard deviation · Standard error of the mean · Error multipliers · Propagation in a sum · Propagation in a series · Propagation in a product · General error propagation · Weights and weighted means · Relative precision · Closure tolerances · Significant figures
Other subject areas
All 7- MathematicsThe algebra, geometry and trigonometry that every other domain assumes — right triangles, the law of sines and cosines, coordinate geometry, areas and volumes.
- Basic sciencesPhysics and applied science a surveyor meets in the field: light and EDM, temperature and tension effects on a tape, statics, hydrology basics and units.
- Geomatics fundamentalsInstruments, field procedures and the data that comes off them: levels, total stations, differential levelling, traverse field work, notes and data reduction.
- Plane surveyingThe computational heart of the exam: traverse computation and adjustment, area, curves both horizontal and vertical, earthwork, and construction staking.
- Geodesy & GNSSDatums, coordinate systems and satellite positioning: the ellipsoid and the geoid, NAD 83 and NAVD 88 and their modernized successors, State Plane, and how GNSS observations are made and processed.
- Boundary conceptsGeneric, nationally applicable boundary principles — the PLSS as described in the BLM Manual of Surveying Instructions, the hierarchy of calls, retracement, riparian concepts and record research. No state-specific statutes.