GEE 141

FUNDAMENTALS OF
SURVEYING
MODULE 3 – ERRORS AND
MISTAKES
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. SOFYAN M. CASANGUAN
 GEE 141 FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

AT THE END OF THIS MODULE THE STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO KNOW:

• How to compute Measurement Precision

• How to compute Standard Error

• How to compute Probable Error

• How to compute Relative Precision

• How to Adjust Measurement Precision

In the pervious chapter all the corrections and errors that we have computed exist because
of natural forces such as caused by temperature, gravity and steepness (slope) and earth’s
curvature.

In this chapter we will consider the correction of measurement which are caused by human
errors such as carelessness, poor judgement and improper execution. Different techniques
are introduced on how to correct them.

1. STANDARD ERROR
Standard Deviation, sx
Standard Error =
√n
Where:
∑ V2
Standard deviation, sx = √
n−1

n = number of observation
∑ V 2 = sum of the squares of residuals/errors

Note: Take a brief review on your statistics;

∑L
a. Mean, L̅ =
n
∑(Li− ̅
L)2
b. Standard Deviation, s = √
n−1
Standard deviation is the average difference of any Li from
L̅.
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2. PROBABLE ERROR

Probable Error = 0.6745(Standard Error)

EXAMPLE 1. From the measured values of distance AB, the following trials were
recorded.
Trials 1 2 3 4
Distance 120.68 120.84 120.76 120.64

Determine: a.) Standard Deviation b.) Standard Error c.) Probable Error

Solution:
a.) Mean:
∑L 120.68 + 120.84 + 120.76 + 120.64
L̅ = =
n 4
̅L = 120.73 m

Residual, 𝐕 = (Li − L̅) 𝐕𝟐

120.68 – 120.73 = -0.05 = 0.0025
120.84 – 120.73 = 0.11 = 0.0121
120.76 – 120.73 = 0.03 = 0.0009
120.64 – 120.73 = -0.09 =0.0081
∑ V 2 = 0.0236

∑ V2
standard deviation, sx = √
n−1

𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟔
standard deviation, 𝐬𝐱 = √ = ±𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟖𝟕
𝟒−𝟏

standard deviation
b.) Standard Error =
√n
±𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟖𝟕
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 = = ±𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟑
√𝟒
2
 c.) Probable Error = 0.6745(standard error)
Probable Error = 0.6745(±0.443)
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 = ±𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟗𝟗

3. RELATIVE PRECISION
Refers to the accuracy of the observations.
1
Relative Precision =
Laverage
Probable Error

EXAMPLE 2. From the measured values of distance AB, the following trials were
recorded. Compute the relative precision.
Trials 1 2 3 4
Distance 120.68 120.84 120.76 120.64

Solution:
1
Relative Precision =
(120.68 + 120.84 + 120.76 + 120.64)/4
0.0299
𝟑
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 =
𝟏𝟐, 𝟏𝟎𝟎
➢ This means that for every 12,100 meters the error is 3 meters.

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4. ADJUSTMENTS OF WEIGHTED OBSERVATIONS

4.1 Weighs are proportional to the number of observations:

EXAMPLE 3. The following interior angles of a triangle traverse were measured with
the same precision.

Angle Value (Degrees) Number of Measurement

A 41 5
B 77 6
C 63 2
Determine the probable value of angle A, B, and C.

Solution:
A + B + C = 41° + 77° + 63° = 181° we know that ∑ interior angles of
triangle is 180° only. Thus, there is an error of 181° − 180° = 1°.

We want to divide the 1° into three proportion so as to subtract them from

the given angles. The angle that has more frequent number of measurement
is the most accurate angle. Thus, it must have the smallest deduction:
No. of Weight of
Angle Correction
Measurement Correction
30 6
A 5 =6 1°( ) = 0.231°
5 26
30 5
B 6 =5 1°( ) = 0.192°
6 26
30 15
C 2 = 15 1°( ) = 0.577°
2 26
LCD = 30 Total = 26

As you observe angle B has the smallest deduction (correction).

𝐀 = 𝟒𝟏° − 𝟎. 𝟐𝟑𝟏° = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟕𝟔𝟗°
𝐁 = 𝟕𝟕° − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝟐° = 𝟕𝟔. 𝟖𝟎𝟖°
𝐂 = 𝟔𝟑° − 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟕° = 𝟔𝟐. 𝟒𝟐𝟑°
∑ = 180 °(ok!)
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4.2 Weights are inversely proportional to the distances of observation.

EXAMPLE 4. Lines of levels between A and B are run over four different routes. A is
at elevation 825 m and is higher than B.
Difference in
Route Distance (km)
Elev. (m)
1 2 0.86
2 6 0.69
3 4 0.75
4 8 1.02
Determine the following: a.) most probable Difference in Elevation
b.) most probable Elevation of B.
Solution:
The smaller the distance between A and B, the more accurate the
observation. Thus,
1
Weight, W α
Distance,D
k
W= ⟶ k = constant of proportionality
D
k = (W)(D) ⟶ for 1 measurement
k = W1 D1 = W2 D2 = W3 D3 = W4 D4 ⟶ for more than 1 measurement

Assume any weight, W: let’s say W1 = 2 ⟶you can assume any no.(1,2)
W1 D1 = W2 D2 = W3 D3 = W4 D4
(2)(2) = W2 (6) = W3 (4) = W4 (8)
W1 = 2 ⟶ Route1 has the highest weight since it the most accurate
W2 = 0.67
W3 = 1
W4 = 0.5
W1 Elev1 + W2 Elev2 + W3 Elev3 + W4 Elev4
Diff. Elev. =
W1 + W2 + W3 + W4
⟶this formula is similar when you are computing for your CGPA.
2(0.86) + 0.67(0.69) + 1(0.75) + 0.5(1.02)
Diff. Elev. =
2 + 0.67 + 1 + 0.5
𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟. 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯. = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟐𝟓 𝐦

Elev. B = Elev. A − Diff. Elev. ⟶Elev. B is lower than Elev. A

Elev. B = 825 − 0.825
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯. 𝐁 = 𝟖𝟐𝟒. 𝟏𝟕𝟓 𝐦
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4.3 Weights are inversely proportional to the square of the corresponding probable
errors.

EXAMPLE 5. The following data observed are the difference in elevation between A
and B by running a line of levels over four different routes.
Route Diff. in Elevation Probable Error
1 340.22 ±02
2 340.30 ±04
3 340.26 ±06
4 340.32 ±08
Determine the following: a.) the most probable value of difference in elevation
b.) the elevation of A is 650.42 m. Find Elev. B assuming it
is higher than A.
Solution:
k
W=
PE2
k = (W)(PE2 )
k = W1 PE12 = W2 PE22 = W3 PE32 = W4 PE42

Assume any weight, W: let’s say W1 = 1

W1 PE12 = W2 PE22 = W3 PE32 = W4 PE42
(1)(22 ) = W2 (42 ) = W3 (62 ) = W4 (82 )
W1 = 1
W2 = 0.25
W3 = 0.111
W4 = 0.0625

W1 Elev1 + W2 Elev2 + W3 Elev3 + W4 Elev4

Diff. Elev. =
W1 + W2 + W3 + W4
1(340.22) + 0.25(340.30) + 0.111(340.26) + 0.0625(340.32)
Diff. Elev. =
1 + 0.25 + 0.111 + 0.0625
𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟. 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯. = 𝟑𝟒𝟎. 𝟐𝟒𝟐 𝐦

Elev. B = Elev. A + Diff. Elev. ⟶Elev. B is higher than Elev. A

Elev. B = 650.42 + 340.242
𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯. 𝐁 = 𝟗𝟗𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝟐 𝐦
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EXERCISES:

1. The distance BC was measured 3 times are recorded as follows:

Trial Distance (meters)
1 141.60
2 141.80
3 141.70
Determine the following:
a. Standard Deviation
b. Standard Error
c. Probable Error
d. Precision of Measurement
ANSWERS: 0.1, ±0.577, ±0.039, 0.039/141.70 = 1/3633

2. The following interior angles of a triangle traverse were measured with the sake
precision.
Station Value (Degrees) No. of
Measurements
A 39° 3
B 65° 4
C 75° 2
Determine the following:
a. The most probable value of angle A
b. The most probable value of angle B
c. The most probable value of angle C
ANSWERS; 39.308°, 65.231°, 75.461°
3. The following data shows the difference in elevation between A and B.
Trial Difference in No. of
Elevation Measurements
1 520.14 m 1
2 520.20 m 3
3 520.18 m 6
4 520.24 m 8
Determine the following:
a. Compute the probable weight of trial 3.
b. Determine the most probable diff. in elevation
c. Compute the elevation of B if elevation of A is 1000 m with B higher than A.
ANSWERS: 6, 520.208m, 1520.208m
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REFERENCES:
• Kavanagh, B. and Mastin, T. (2014). Surveying: Principles and Applications.
New Jersey: Pearson, Inc.
• Kavanagh, B. and Bird, S. J. G. (1996). Surveying: Principles and Applications.
New Jersey: Pearson, Inc.
• Besavilla, V. (1987). Surveying for Civil and Geodetic Licensure Exam. Cebu:
VIB Press.