Errors & Mistakes
ERROR – An error is defined as the difference between the true value and the measured value
of a quantity.
MISTAKES – are inaccuracies in measurements which occur because some aspect of a surveying
operation is performed by the surveyor with carelessness, inattention, poor judgement, and
improper execution.
The difference between 'error' and 'mistake' is in the context that they are used in. A 'mistake'
is usually accidental, you know it is wrong. Otherwise, an 'error' is usually made due to the lack
of knowledge and is more formal than 'mistake'. "Machines never make mistakes, but rather
they make errors.
TYPES OF ERRORS
1. Systematic Errors. This type or error is one which will always have the same sign and
magnitude as long as field conditions remain constant and unchanged. Such errors can
be computed and their effects eliminated by applying corrections, employing proper
techniques in the use of instruments, or by adopting a field procedure which will
automatically eliminate it.
In surveying, systematic errors occur due to instrumental factors, natural causes,
and human limitations of the observer. This type of error will continue to persist
and impose regular effects in the performance of a survey operation.
2. Accidental Errors. These errors are purely accidental in
SOURCES OF ERRORS
1. Instrumental Errors. These errors are due to imperfections in the instruments used,
either from faults in their construction or from improper adjustments between the
different parts prior to their use. Examples of instrumental errors are:
Measuring with a sell tape of incorrect length
Using a leveling rod with painted graduations not perfectly spaced
Determining the difference in elevation between two points with an instrument
whose line of sight is not adjustment
Sighting on a rod is warped
Improper adjustment of the plate bubbles of a trans? Level
2. Natural Errors. These errors are caused by variations in the phenomena of nature such
as changes in magnetic declination, temperature, humidity, wind, refraction, gravity,
and curvature of the earth.
Common examples are:
The effect of temperature variation on the length of a steel tape
Error in readings of the magnetic needle due to variations in magnetic declination
Deflection on the line of sight due to the effect of the earth’s curvature and
atmospheric refraction.
Error in the measurement of a line with a tape measure blown sideways by a strong
wind
Error in the measurement of a horizontal distance due to slope or uneven ground.
3. Personal Errors. These errors arise principally from limitations of the senses sight, touch
and hearing of the human observer which are likely to be erroneous or in accurate.
Typical of these errors are:
Error in determining a reading on a rod which is out of plumb during sighting
Error in the measurement of a vertical angle when the cross hairs of the telescope
are not positioned correctly on the target
Making an erroneous estimate of the required force to be applied on a steel tape
during measurement
ACCURACY AND PRECISION
Accuracy – how close a given measurement is to a specific value, is the degree of closeness
between a measurement and the measurement's true value.
Precision - refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to each other, is the degree to
which an instrument or process will repeat the same value.
MOST PROBABLE VALUE
The MVP of a group of repeated measurements made under similar conditions is the arithmetic
mean or the average. Most probable value refers to a quantity which, based on available data,
has more chances of being correct that has any other. Example: open your book in p.39 – 42
Relative Precision/Relative Error
The total amount of error in a given measurement
Indicate the accuracy of a measurement
Ratio of the error to the measured quantity
Used to define the degree of refinement obtained
Examples:
5cm/10m
1m/1m, 1/100, 1/1000, 1/10000 – more precise