Errors in Surveying MCQ with answer and solution

Concept

Effect of bad ranging

Step-by-step solution

1. If the chain is not exactly on the line, the measured distance is the longer, zigzag path. 2. A longer measured length means every error is positive. 3. So the error due to bad ranging is cumulative positive.

Explanation

Bad ranging makes the chain deviate from the straight line between the ends, so the measured length is always greater than the true length. The error is therefore cumulative and positive.

Shortcut

Errors that make the measured length too large (bad ranging, slope, sag, chain too short) are cumulative positive; chain too long gives a cumulative negative error.

Common mistake

Choosing "both" because cumulative errors can be positive or negative in general.