U N I T 2

BASIC SURVEY MATH

Edward Zimmerman, PLS
California Department of Transportation

Introduction
The purpose of this video unit is to present basic math concepts and
principles useful to survey computations. It has been assumed that most
viewers are already familiar with some or most of the topics presented in the
beginning of the unit. It is important to have a developed understanding of the
basic operations of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. This unit
is not designed as a complete math course, but rather as an overview and
guide to computation processes unique to surveying and mapping. Surveyors
who need to work on math operations and fundamental skills addressed in the
video will find sources for further study in the reference section at the end of
this unit.
Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

Survey mathematics generally consists of applications of formulas and

equations that have been adapted to work toward the specific needs of the
surveyor such as:
• Units of measurement and conversions
• Check and adjustment of raw field data
• Closure and adjustment of survey figures
• Calculations for missing elements of a figure
• Working with coordinates (COGO)
• Intersections of straight lines and of circles

It is hoped this video unit will help viewers to recognize solution formats for
problems and then make correct and effective use of appropriate methods to
solve these particular survey problems.

Performance Expected on the Exams

Recognize solution formats, and make correct and effective use of appropriate
mathematical solutions to particular survey applications.

Key Terms
Absolute value Adjacent side
Algebra Arc
Arithmetic Azimuth
Bearing Central angle
Chord Circular curve
Circumference Complementary angle
Coordinate conversion Cosecant
Cosine Cotangent
Cubes Decimal system
delta x, delta x Departure
External distance Geodetic north
Grads Grid north

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 Basic Survey Math

Hexagon Horizontal curve

Hypotenuse Intersections
Intersection of straight line and arc Intersections of straight lines
Inverse processes Latitude
Law of cosines Law of sines
Length of arc Magnetic north
Meter Mid-ordinate distance
Most probable value Oblique triangle
Opposite side Order of operations
Parabola Parallelogram
Pentagon Percent of slope
Percentage pi
Plane geometry Polar coordinates
Polygon Pythagorean theorem
Quadrants Quadratic equation
Quadrilateral Radian
Radius Radius point
Random error Rate of change
Rectangular coordinates Residual
Rhomboid Right triangle
Roots Rounding off
Sag curve Secant
Sector of a circle Segment of a circle
Sexagesimal system Signed numbers
Significant figures Simultaneous equation
Sine Square root
Squares Standard error
Supplementary angles US survey foot
Tangent Trigonometry

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

Video Presentation Outline

Arithmetic
• Decimal system
• Rounding off and significant figures
• Percentage
• Squares, cubes and roots

Conversion of Units of Measure

• Converting lineal units
• Converting angular units
• Converting units of area

Random Error Analysis

• Error definitions
• Error residuals
• Statistical error matrix
• Propagation of error
• Error in summation
• Error in product
• Error in series

Algebra
• Signed numbers
• Equations
• Order of operations
• Parentheses
• Evaluating equations and combining terms
• Solving equations
• The quadratic equation formula

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 Basic Survey Math

Plane Geometry
• Angles
• Geometrical theorems
• Geometrical figures
• Polygons
• Triangles

Trigonometry
• Right triangles
• Pythagorean theorem
• Trigonometric functions
• Oblique triangles
• Directions: bearings and azimuths
• Latitudes and departures
• Plane coordinates

Coordinate Geometry
• Intersection of straight lines
• Intersection of straight line and arc
• Intersection of two arcs

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

Sample Test Questions

1. The product of 416.78 multiplied by 210.98 is?
A. 879.32
B. 8,793.32
C. 87,932.24
D. 879,322.44

2. The quotient of 36.11 divided by 191.67 is?

A. 188.40
B. 18.84
C. 1.88
D. 0.19

3. Square the number 0.713729, showing the results to the nearest five
decimal places.
A. 0.50941
B. 0.50940
C. 0.50942
D. 0.50943

4. The percentage of slope for a proposed ramp is +3.55%. What is the

change in elevation of this ramp for a horizontal length of 356 ft?
A. -126.38 ft
B. +12.60 ft
C. +12.64 ft
D. +126.38 ft

5. Where the centerline slope of a highway has a vertical drop of 14.75 ft in

265 ft horizontally, what is the rate of change expressed in percentage?
A. 0.55%
B. 0.56%
C. 5.55%
D. 5.57%

6. Determine the square root of 0.6935, showing the result to the nearest five
decimal places.
A. 0.832776
B. 0.83276
C. 0.83277
D. 0.832766

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 Basic Survey Math

7. 24.91 expressed in ft and in, equals:

A. 24 ft, 10-7/8 in
B. 24 ft, 10-3/8 in
C. 24 ft, 10-1/4 in
D. 24 ft, 11 in

8. 4,178.309 meters equals _______ United States survey ft.

A. 1,273.56 survey ft
B. 1,273.55 survey ft
C. 13,708.20 survey ft
D. 13,708.34 survey ft

9. 6,172.98 United States survey ft equals _______ meters.

A. 1,881.528 m
B. 1,881.547 m
C. 20,252.313 m
D. 20,252.519 m

10. When converted to survey ft, 3,421.381 meters equals ________ survey ft.
A. 1,042.84 survey ft
B. 1,042.85 survey ft
C. 11,224.87 survey ft
D. 11,224.98 survey ft

11. 21.56 chains converts to ______ survey ft.

A. 1,422.36 survey ft
B. 1,386.00 survey ft
C. 1293.60 survey ft
D. 1,422.96 survey ft

12. 14° 34' 37" converted to radian measurement is ______?

A. 0.250345 rad
B. 0.254416 rad
C. 0.250351 rad
D. 0.250337 rad

13. 0.758612 rad, when converted to degrees, minutes, and seconds is ______.
A. 43° 46' 52"
B. 43° 41' 35"
C. 43° 33' 12"
D. 43° 27' 55"

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

14. How many hectares are contained in a rectangular parcel that measures
19.23 ch. x 40.63 ch.?
A. 78.131 hec
B. 781.315 hec
C. 31.619 hec
D. 193.063 hec

15. An angle has been measured six individual times with the following
results: a.) 46° 21' 45"; b.) 46° 22' 10"; c.) 46° 22' 05"; d.) 46° 22' 00";
e.) 46° 21' 45"; f.) 46° 21' 55". What is the most probable value of the
angle?
A. 46° 21' 45"
B. 46° 21' 50"
C. 46° 21' 57"
D. 46° 22' 00"

16. Determine the standard error for the following group of six measurements:
a.) 11,249.71 ft; b.) 11,250.06 ft; c.) 11,249.86 ft;
d.) 11,249.99 ft; e.) 11,250.01 ft; f.) 11,249.98 ft.
A. ±0.13 ft
B. ±0.12 ft
C. ±0.10 ft
D. ±0.08 ft

17. Determine the standard error of the mean for the measurement set in
problem #16.
A. ±0.21 ft
B. ±0.13 ft
C. ±0.05 ft
D. ±0.03 ft

18. A rectangular parcel of land was surveyed. The measurement for side X
was 339.21 ft with an error of ±0.05 ft. Side Y was measured as 563.67 ft,
with an error of ±0.09 ft. What is the area of the parcel and what is the
expected error in the area?
A. Area = 191,202 ft2 or 4.389 ac.; standard error = ±41.7 ft2
B. Area = 191,202 ft2 or 4.389 ac.; standard error = ±41.5 ft2
C. Area = 191,202 ft2 or 4.389 ac.; standard error = ±24.1 ft2
D. Area = 191,202 ft2 or 4.389 ac.; standard error = ±53.5 ft2

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 Basic Survey Math

19. The total length for a highway centerline was measured in four different
segments using different equipment and different methods of measurement
on different days. The total length of the line was found by totaling the
length of each segment. Standard error for each segment was determined
to be:
Standard Error of Segment #1 =±0.04 ft
Standard Error of Segment #2 =±0.03 ft
Standard Error of Segment #3 =±0.08 ft
Standard Error of Segment #4 =±0.11 ft

The standard error of the total distance of the centerline is _______?

A. Standard error of the sum = ±0.14 ft
B. Standard error of the sum = ±0.26 ft
C. Standard error of the sum = ±0.02 ft
D. Standard error of the sum = ±0.07 ft

20. What is the sum of the following five numbers: (-230.67); (+517.39);
(+100.26): (-311.47); and (-481.28)?
A. 405.77
B. 1,641.07
C. -1,641.07
D. -405.77

21. The remainder after -146.11 has been subtracted from -37.82 is ______ ?
A. -108.29
B. 108.29
C. -183.93
D. 183.93

22. Write an equation based on the following word statement: “three times a
number, plus the number cubed, minus the number multiplied by 87.” In
the algebraic equation, let b stand for the number referred to in the
problem statement.
A. 3 (b + b3) - (87b)
B. 3 (b + b3) - 87b
C. 3 b + b3 - 87b
D. (3b) + b3 - (87b)

23. Letting w = 12 and z = 3, evaluate the following equation:

5w + (21 - w) 14z + (z - 23).
A. 418
B. 2,878
C. 2,881
D. 19,162

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

24. If angle 3 in the sketch below is 71° 39' 12", calculate the values of angles 1,
2, 5, and 8. Assume lines P-Q and R-S are parallel.
A. <1 = 108° 20' 48"; <2 = 108° 20' 48"; <5 = 108° 20' 48"; <8 =␣ ␣ 71° 39' 12"
B. <1 = 108° 20' 48"; <2 = ␣ ␣ 71° 39' 12"; <5 = ␣ ␣ 71° 39' 12"; <8 = 108° 20' 48"
C. <1 = 108° 20' 48"; <2 = ␣ ␣ 71° 39' 12"; <5 = 108° 20' 48"; <8 = ␣ ␣ 71° 39' 12"
D. <1 = 108° 20' 48"; <2 = 108° 20' 48"; <5 = ␣ ␣ 71° 39' 12"; <8 = ␣ ␣ 71° 39' 12"

P R

3 2 7 6

1 4 5 8

Q S

25. If angle 1 in the sketch below is 46° 11' 20", calculate the values of angles 2
and 3.
A. <2 = 46° 11' 20"; <3 = 133° 48' 40"
B. <2 = 43° 48' 40"; <3 = 133° 48' 40"
C. <2 = 46° 11' 20"; <3 = 136° 11' 20"
D. <2 = 43° 48' 40"; <3 = 136° 11' 20"

N L

G 90° M

2
1
H K
I 90°
3

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 Basic Survey Math

26. Solve for angle A in the triangle shown below:

A. 15° 38' 56" B
B. 15° 23' 08"
C. 15° 58' 20"
D. 15° 58' 21"

993.14'
3609.11'
A C

27. Solve for the missing side “a” of the triangle in the sketch below.
A. 156.43 ft B
B. 154.72 ft
C. 175.23 ft
D. 172.84 ft
.11'
347
a

26° 47' 09"

A
C

28. What is length of side “c” in the triangle shown in the sketch below?
A. 578.61 ft
B. 598.75 ft
C. 600.36 ft
D. 580.29 ft

B
44.11'

04° 21' 34"

C A

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

29. What is the length of side Y to Z in the sketch of parcel #37 shown below?
A. 557.17 ft
B. 559.56 ft
C. 558.56 ft
D. 556.25 ft

Z Y

90°

PARCEL 37
372.23'

Not to Scale

90° 103° 21' 30"

471.17'
W X

30. Line P to Q intersects the street alignment as shown in the sketch below.
What is the length of line P-Q?
A. 52.50 ft
B. 52.52 ft
C. 52.54 ft
D. 52.56 ft
P

52.00'
98° 14' 25"

Q
Not to Scale

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 Basic Survey Math

31. Given the following dimensions shown for the oblique triangle in the sketch
below, solve for the length of side “b.”
A. 855.58 ft B
B. 857.02 ft
C. 438.34 ft
D. 37.12 ft

9' 59° 03' 41"

7.4
50

36° 11' 27"

A b C

32. Solve for side “a” using the elements given for the oblique triangle shown
in the sketch below.
A. 751.27 ft
B. 618.43 ft
C. 744.27 ft B
D. 620.70 ft
3'
1.7

a
52

61° 12' 14"

A 671.11' C

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

33. From the elements of the oblique triangle given in the sketch below, solve
for angle A.
A. 68° 06' 10"
B. 67° 54' 41" B
C. 67° 50' 53"
D. 67° 30' 19"

1'

39
7.4

7.1
35

6'
A 357.41' C

34. Using information given in the sketch below, calculate the coordinates for
point R.
A. y = 1,945.62; x = 11,612.43
B. y = 1,945.73; x = 11,612.39
C. y = 1,945.61; x = 11,612.33
D. y = 1,945.68; x = 11,612.39

y = 3,407.16
x = 7,186.10
P

S 46° 11' 21" E

2106.43'

S 89° 56' 06" E R

O
2906.27'

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 Basic Survey Math

35. After looking at the sketch below, determine the bearing and distance of
the line from point C to point D.
A. N 89° 19' 27" W; 91.33 ft
B. S 89° 49' 06" W; 91.31 ft
C. S 89° 19' 27" E; 91.33 ft
D. S 89° 19' 17" E; 91.29 ft

B
N 51° 26' 12" E
91.73' S 44° 02' 51" E
87.11'
A y = 3,400.65
C x = 7,409.67
y = 3,407.16 D
x = 7,186.10

36. Determine the coordinates of the point “x”where the two lines intersect as
shown in the sketch below.
A. y = 1,652.56; x = 1,733.14
B. y = 1,652.47; x = 1,732.99
C. y = 1,652.64; x = 1,733.24
D. y = 1,652.53; x = 1,733.19

D
E
y = 1,756.00
y = 2,011.00
x = 1,198.00
x = 1,997.00

y = 1,200.00
y = 1,560.00
x = 1,400.00
x = 2,212.00
G
F

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

37. Using information given in the sketch, calculate the bearing of the line
from the “RP” to point X. Also determine the distance from L to X.
A. Bearing “RP” to X = N 48° 51' 10" E; Distance L to X= 438.71 ft
B. Bearing “RP” to X = N 50° 51' 50" E; Distance L to X= 439.85 ft
C. Bearing “RP” to X = N 49° 10' 30" E; Distance L to X= 440.00 ft
D. Bearing “RP” to X = N 49° 12' 40" E; Distance L to X= 441.07 ft
EC

L
X
M
y = 2,731.00
y = 2,580.00 x = 3,012.00
x = 2,207.00 0'
35.0
s =4
y = 2,365.50 diu BC
x = 2,250.37 Ra

RP

38. Determine the bearing of lines RP-1 to X and line RP-2 to X from the survey
data shown in the sketch below.
A. Bearing Line RP-1 to X = N 44° 17' 50" W;
Bearing Line RP-2 to X = N 40° 12' 45" E
B. Bearing Line RP-1 to X = 40° 12' 45" E;
Bearing Line RP-2 to X = N 40° 12' 45" W
C. Bearing Line RP-1 to X = N 44° 17' 50" E;
Bearing Line RP-2 to X = N 40° 12' 45" W
D. Bearing Line RP-1 to X = N 40° 12' 45" W;
Bearing Line RP-2 to X = N 44° 17' 50" W

'
.00
R
ad

0
50
iu

=
s

ius
=

d
Ra
49
0.
00

RP-1
'

y = 1,831.00
x = 1,563.00
RP-2
y = 1,814.67
x = 2,228.55

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 Basic Survey Math

39. Determine the deflection angle and the sub-chord length (from beginning of
curve) required to locate sta. 30+74.50 on its correct position on the arc
using data given in the sketch below.
A. Deflection = 03° 11' 33"; Sub-chord = 155.94 ft
B. Deflection = 06° 23' 06"; Sub-chord = 155.69 ft
C. Deflection = 06° 23' 06"; Sub-chord = 311.48 ft
D. Deflection = 03° 11' 33"; Sub-chord = 152.07 ft

Sta. 31 + 34.87
I = 17° 34' 21"

BC
R = 1400.00'

Not to Scale

40. Using curve information given in the sketch, calculate the external and mid-
ordinate distances for the curve.
A. External = 0.37 ft; Mid-ordinate = 0.37 ft
B. External = 1.00 ft; Mid-ordinate = 1.00 ft
C. External = 1.04 ft; Mid-ordinate = 1.04 ft
D. External = 4.15 ft; Mid-ordinate = 4.14 ft

I = 04° 11' 19"

R = 1500.00'

Not to Scale

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

41. Using the data given in the sketch below, calculate the centerline radius
that will allow the outside edge of a 42-ft roadway (overall width) to clear
the center of the tree by 6 ft.
A. C/L radius = 4,366.42 ft
B. C/L radius = 4,478.80 ft
C. C/L radius = 4,424.92 ft
D. C/L radius = 4,436.80 ft

I = 18° 34' 30"

31.0
Tree

CL

Not to Scale

42. From data given on the sketch of the vertical curve below, calculate the
elevation at station 31+56.
A. Elev. @ sta. 31+56 = 225.02 ft
B. Elev. @ sta. 31+56 = 225.25 ft
C. Elev. @ sta. 31+56 = 225.47 ft
D. Elev. @ sta. 31+56 = 225.72 ft

+2.60% PVI

-4.05%

EVC 36 + 50.00
Elev. 212.47

L = 1200'

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 Basic Survey Math

43. Referring back to Problem #42 (above), calculate the station and elevation
of the high point of the curve.
A. Sta. = 29+19; Elev. = 205.74 ft
B. Sta. = 29+19; Elev. = 227.27 ft
C. Sta. = 30+50; Elev. = 226.80 ft
D. Sta. = 33+88; Elev. = 221.17 ft

44. Using the information given in the diagram below, calculate the station and
elevation of the BVC of curve designed to provide a minimum of 3.0 ft
clearance at the top of pipe located at station 6+87. Determine “L” to the
nearest half station.
A. Sta. @ BVC = 3+50; Elev. = 39.18 ft
B. Sta. @ BVC = 4+00; Elev. = 38.36 ft
C. Sta. @ BVC = 4+25; Elev. = 37.94 ft
D. Sta. @ BVC = 3+25; Elev. = 39.59 ft

Top of Pipe = 36.11

BVC

-1.65% +4.10%

PIVC @ 6 + 50.00
Elevation 34.23

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Caltrans LS/LSIT Video Exam Preparation Course

Answer Key
1. C. 87,932.24
2. D. 0.19
3. A. 0.50941
4. C. +12.64 ft
5. D. -5.57%
6. C. 0.83277
7. A. 24 ft – 10 7/8 in
8. D. 13,708.34 survey ft
9. A. 1,881.528 meters
10. D. 11,224.98 survey ft
11. D. 1,422.96 survey ft
12. B. 0.254416 rad
13. D. 43° 27' 55"
14. C. 31.619 hec
15. C. 46° 21' 57"
16. B. ±0.12 ft
17. C. ±0.05 ft
18. B. 191,202 ft2 or 4.389 ac.; std. error = ±41.5 ft2
19. A. ±0.14 ft
20. D. -405.77
21. B. 108.29
22. D. 3b – 87b
23. A. 418
24. A. <1 = 108° 20' 48"; <2 = 108° 20' 48"; <5 = 108° 20' 48"; <8 = 71° 39' 12"
25. A. <2 = 46° 11' 20"; <3 = 133° 48' 40"
26. B. 15° 23' 08"
27. A. 156.43 ft
28. D. 580.29 ft
29. B. 559.56 ft
30. C. 52.54 ft
31. D. 437.12 ft
32. D. 620.70 ft
33. D. 67° 30' 19"
34. A. y = 1,945.62; x = 11,612.43
35. D. S 89° 19' 17" E; 91.29 ft
36. A. y = 1,652.56; x = 1,733.14
37. C. Bearing “RP” to X = N 49° 10' 30" E; Distance L to X= 440.00 ft
38. C. Bearing Line RP-1 to X = N 44° 17' 50" E;
Bearing Line RP-2 to X = N 40° 12' 45" W
39. A. Deflection = 03° 11' 33"; Sub-chord = 155.94 ft
40. C. External = 1.00 ft; Mid-ordinate = 1.00 ft
41. A. C/L radius = 4,366.42 ft
42. D. Elev. @ sta. 31+56 = 225.72 ft
43. B. Sta. = 29+19; Elev. = 227.27 ft
44. D. Sta. @ BVC = 3+25; Elev. = 39.59 ft

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 Basic Survey Math

References
Brinker, Russell, and Minnick, Roy, Editors, The Surveying Handbook, Van
Nostrand Reinhold, Co., New York, 1987. (Very comprehensive for all
surveying operations and math formats)
Kavanagh, Barry F., Surveying With Construction Applications, Second
Edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1992. (Good application of math
concepts to survey calculations)
Minnick, Roy, Land Survey Test Training Manual, Landmark Enterprises,
Rancho Cordova, CA, 1972.
Smith, Robert, Applied General Mathematics, Delmar, Inc., New York, 1982.
Wolf, Paul R., & Brinker, Russell C., Elementary Surveying, Eighth Edition,
Van Nostrand Reinhold, Co., New York, 1987. (Very good
presentation.)
Zimmerman, Edward, Basic Surveying Calculations, Landmark Enterprises,
Rancho Cordova, CA, 1991. (Easily understood theory and operations.)

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