Problem Set 1

Part I: Most Probable Value (MPV) Computations

1. Five measurements of a line are: 49.95 m, 50.05 m, 49.98 m, 50.02 m, and

50.00 m.
Compute the Most Probable Value (MPV).

2. The following observed values of an angle are: 89°59′50″, 90°00′10″,

89°59′40″, 90°00′00″, and 90°00′20″.
Find the MPV of the angle.

3. A chain line was measured four times with the following results: 120.3 m,
120.5 m, 120.2 m, 120.4 m.
What is the MPV?

4. The length of a base line was measured five times giving results: 249.88 m,
249.92 m, 249.94 m, 249.90 m, and 249.96 m.
Compute the MPV to two decimal places.

5. The observed values of a bearing are: N 30°15′ E, N 30°20′ E, N 30°10′ E,

and N 30°12′ E.
Determine the MPV.

Part II: Weighted Most Probable Value (Weighted MPV) and Residuals
(variances). Find the weighted MPV, residuals of each measurements, and
determine the adjusted measurements.

6. Three measurements of a distance were taken:

• 120.15 m (weight = 2)
• 120.10 m (weight = 3)
• 120.20 m (weight = 5)

7. The observed values of an angle are:

• 89°59′50″ (weight = 4)
• 90°00′00″ (weight = 2)
• 90°00′10″ (weight = 1)

8. The following lengths of a baseline were measured:

• 249.80 m (weight = 1)
• 249.90 m (weight = 2)
• 249.95 m (weight = 3)
• 249.92 m (weight = 4)

9. A line was measured four times, giving:

• 75.00 m (w = 3)
• 75.02 m (w = 2)
• 75.01 m (w = 5)
• 75.03 m (w = 1)
 10. The observed bearing values are:
• N 45°00′20″ E (weight = 1)
• N 45°00′10″ E (weight = 2)
• N 45°00′30″ E (weight = 3)
• N 45°00′15″ E (weight = 4)

Part III: Adjusted Value of Closed Boundary Areas

• Plot the traverse using given bearings/azimuths and distances.
• Compute departures and latitudes.
• Check for misclosure.
• Adjust the traverse (Bowditch/Compass rule).
• Compute the adjusted area.
• Practice plotting with protractor and scale.

11. A closed traverse around a lot was surveyed with the following data:

Line Bearing Distance (m)

AB N 30° E 100.0

BC S 60° E 150.0

CD S 30° W 100.0

DA N 60° W 150.0

Plot the traverse, check the closure.

Sample Solution:

1. Convert bearings → azimuths (from North, clockwise):

• N30°E → 30°
• S60°E → 120°
• S30°W → 210°
• N60°W → 300°

2. Compute latitudes (ΔN) and departures (ΔE):

Azimuth
Line d (m) ΔN ΔE
(α)

AB 30° 100 +86.6025 +50.0000

BC 120° 150 −75.0000 +129.9038

CD 210° 100 −86.6025 −50.0000

DA 300° 150 +75.0000 −129.9038

 3) Check closure:

∑ΔN=0.0000; ∑ΔE=0.0000 → Perfect closure

(Hence, no adjustment needed, otherwise follow computations for MPV.

4. Plot the traverse

Continue Solving the problems:

12. The traverse of a small parcel of land was observed as follows:

Line Azimuth (°) Distance (m)

AB 45° 80.0

BC 135° 120.0

CD 225° 80.0

DA 315° 120.0

Plot the traverse, and apply adjustment.

13. A quadrilateral lot was surveyed and the following were observed:

Line Bearing Distance (m)

AB N 20° E 90.0

BC S 70° E 110.0

CD S 20° W 85.0

DA N 70° W 115.0

Plot the lot, compute departures/latitudes, and apply adjustment.

14. A traverse around a property is given:

Line Azimuth (°) Distance (m)

AB 90° 150.0

BC 180° 200.0

CD 270° 150.0

DA 0° 200.0

Plot and adjust the traverse if there is a slight misclosure.

15. The following bearings and distances were recorded in a traverse:

Line Bearing Distance (m)

AB N 45° E 100.0

BC S 45° E 100.0

CD S 45° W 100.0

DA N 45° W 100.0

Plot the square lot, check if misclosure exists, adjust accordingly.

 Part IV. Stadia Applications

16. A tacheometer is set up at a station. The upper stadia hair reads 1.525 m, the lower
stadia hair reads 0.925 m, and the middle hair reads 1.225 m. The multiplying
constant is 100 and the additive constant is 0.
Compute the horizontal distance.

Sample Solution:
Given:
Upper hair = 1.525 m
Lower hair = 0.925 m
Middle hair = 1.225 m.
Multiplying constant K=100
Additive constant C=0

1. Identify the stadia intercept

The stadia intercept is the difference between the upper and lower hair readings:

s = Upper−Lower = 1.525−0.925 = 0.600 m

2. Staff vertical / sight horizontal

If the staff is vertical and the line of sight is horizontal, the middle hair equals the
average of upper and lower:

(1.525+0.925)/2 = (22.450)/2 = 1.225 m = Middle reading,

(OR 1.225 is in between 1.525 and 0.925)

3. Use stadia distance formula:

For a horizontal line of sight:

D = Ks + C

Substitute K = 100, s = 0.600 m, C=0:

D = 100 (0.600) + 0 = 60.00 m

Continue Solving the problems:

 17. At another station, the stadia readings are 2.105 m and 1.455 m. If the
instrument constants are K = 100, C = 0, and the line of sight is horizontal,
determine the distance.

18. The stadia intercept is 2.00 m. If the tacheometer constants are K = 100 and
C = 0.30 m, compute the horizontal distance.

19. The upper and lower stadia hair readings are 2.345 m and 1.745 m. The
instrument constants are K = 100, C = 0. Assume the staff is vertical and the
line of sight is horizontal.
Compute the distance.

20. A stadia survey was conducted with the following data: upper hair reading =
1.685 m, lower hair reading = 0.985 m, middle hair reading = 1.335 m. The
instrument constants are K = 100, C = 0.20 m.
Find the horizontal distance from the instrument to the staff.

Part V. Stadia Applications

Stadia with Vertical Angle

Formula reminders (for a tacheometer with constants K and C):

where:

s = stadia intercept (upper – lower)

i = instrument height

r = staff reading at middle hair

α or alpha = vertical angle (positive if inclined upwards, negative if
downwards)

Problems:
21. A tacheometer observes stadia readings of 1.825 m and 1.225 m on a vertical staff.
The vertical angle is +5°00′, with K=100, C=0, and instrument height i=1.35 m.
Middle hair reading is 1.525 m.
Compute the horizontal distance and the difference in elevation of the staff station
relative to the instrument axis.
Sample Solution:
Given:
Upper hair U=1.825 m
Lower hair L=1.225 m
Middle hair r=1.525 m
Vertical angle α=+5∘ (line of sight inclined upward)
Instrument constants K=100, C=0
Instrument height i=1.35 m

Required:
Horizontal distance Dh
Difference in elevation Δh of the staff station relative to the instrument axis
(Positive Δh means staff point is higher than the instrument axis.)

1. Stadia intercept

s = U−L = 1.825 −1.225 = 0.600 m

Sanity check:

(U+L)/2 = (1.825+1.225)/2 = 1.525 (OK)

2. Horizontal distance Dh

For inclined sights:

Dh = K *s cos2α + C

With K=100, C=0, s=0.600, α=5∘

cos 5∘ =0.9961947
cos25∘=0.9924039

Dh = 100(0.600)(0.9924039)=59.54 m

3. Height difference Δh

Δh = K*s(1/2 sin 2α) + C sin α + (i−r)

Compute terms:
sin 2α = sin 10∘ = 0.1736482,
½ sin 2α = 0.0868241
K *s(1/2 sin 2α) = 100(0.600)(0.0868241)=5.20945 m
C sin α = 0
(i−r) = 1.35−1.525 = −0.175 m

Δh = 5.20945−0.175 = 5.03 m

(Positive → staff point is ~5.03 m above the instrument axis.)

Continue Solving the problems:

22. Stadia readings are 2.565 m and 1.965 m, vertical angle = +10°00′. The
instrument constants are K=100, C=0.30. Middle hair = 2.265 m, instrument
height = 1.40 m.
Find Dh (Horizontal Distance) and Δh (Difference in elevation)

23. From a tacheometer station, the stadia intercept is 1.200 m, middle hair = 2.000
m. Vertical angle = −5°00′ (sight depressed). Constants K=100, C=0, instrument
height = 1.45 m.
Compute the horizontal distance and the reduced level difference.
24. Upper and lower hair readings are 3.125 m and 2.325 m. Vertical angle =
+12°00′. Instrument constants: K=100, C=0.50. Middle hair = 2.725 m, instrument
height = 1.35 m.
Find the horizontal distance and height difference.

25. A tacheometer reads upper = 2.405 m, lower = 1.805 m, middle = 2.105 m.

Vertical angle = −8°00′. Constants: K=100, C=0. Instrument height = 1.50 m.
Calculate the horizontal distance and the difference in elevation of the staff
station.