Traverse Surveying MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Traverse Surveying - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Jun 17, 2025

Latest Traverse Surveying MCQ Objective Questions

Traverse Surveying Question 1:

In a traverse survey, if the direction of the progress of the survey is ________, then the angles measured in the clockwise direction are directly the _______ angles.

  1. counterclockwise; excluded
  2. counterclockwise; included
  3. clockwise; excluded
  4. clockwise; included 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : counterclockwise; included

Traverse Surveying Question 1 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Traverse Surveying:

  • In traverse surveys, angles are measured as part of the angular calculation for determining the positions of stations.

Counterclockwise Direction:

  • If the direction of progress in the survey is counterclockwise, the angles measured between two consecutive lines are considered included angles.

  • These are the angles that are measured on the inside of the traverse, in the counterclockwise direction.

Included Angles:

  • When traversing in the counterclockwise direction, the angle between the two lines at the station is the included angle, meaning the angle formed on the inside of the boundary.

Additional Information Traverse Surveying:

  • Traverse surveying is a method used in land surveying to establish control points by measuring horizontal and vertical angles between successive survey lines, and/or their lengths.

  • The method consists of a sequence of straight lines (called traverse legs) connecting each station or point to the next.

  • The main goal of traverse surveying is to accurately define the boundaries or layout of a survey area.

Traverse Surveying Question 2:

Consider below statements with respect to methods used to balance a traverse and Identify the correct answer.

Statement A: The transit rule may be employed where angular measurements are less precise that the linear measurements.

Statement B: The Bowditch’s method assumes that the errors in linear measurements are inversely proportional to the square root of the length of the surveyed line. 

  1. Statement B is correct, and statement A is incorrect.  
  2. Both statements are correct. 
  3. Both statements are incorrect. 
  4. Statement A is correct, and statement B is incorrect.  
  5. Insufficient Information

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Both statements are incorrect. 

Traverse Surveying Question 2 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The process of adjusting the latitudes and departures to make the algebraic sum of latitudes or departures to zero is called balancing of errors.

The two types of balancing rules to eliminate errors in traverse surveying are as follows:

1) Bowditch rule (Compass rule): 

  • It is most commonly adopted when angular measurement and linear measurement both are nearly of same precision.
  • The correction is considered directly proportional to the length of the side.
  • This method is based on assumption that the errors in the linear measurements are proportional to √l and that the errors in angular measurements are inversely proportional to 1/√l where l is the length of a line.

Correction for Latitude/Departure = - Total error in Latitude/Departure × \(\frac{{{\bf{length}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{the}}\;{\bf{side}}}}{{{\bf{perimeter}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{the}}\;{\bf{traverse}}}}\)

2) Transit rule: 

When angular measurements are more precise than linear measurement, the transit method is adopted.

Correction to latitude of any side = - Total error in latitude × \(\frac{{{\bf{Latitude}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{the}}\;{\bf{side}}}}{{{\bf{Arthmetical}}\;{\bf{sum}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{all}}\;{\bf{latitudes}}}}\)

Correction to departure of any side = - Total error in departure × \(\frac{{{\bf{Departure}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{the}}\;{\bf{side}}}}{{{\bf{Arthmetical}}\;{\bf{sum}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{all}}\;{\bf{departures}}}}\)

Traverse Surveying Question 3:

Which of the following is NOT an angle and distance method traverse survey plotting?

  1. Chord of angle
  2. Tangent of angle
  3. Protractor method
  4. Coordinate method
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Coordinate method

Traverse Surveying Question 3 Detailed Solution

Concept:

Traverse Survey

  • A traverse is a series of connected lines whose lengths and directions are to be measured and the process of surveying to find such measurements is known as traversing.

Method Traverse Survey Plotting

The following are the five main methods of plotting a traverse survey:

  • By Parallel Meridians through Each Station
  • By Included Angles
  • By Central Meridian or Paper Protractor
  • By Rectangular Co-Ordinates
  • By Chords.

Hence, the coordinate method is not an angle and distance method traverse survey plotting.

Traverse Surveying Question 4:

The bearings of two traverse legs AB and BC are N 52°45' E and N 34°30' E respectively. The deflection angle is 

  1. 18°15'E
  2. 18°15'N
  3. 18°15'R
  4. 18°15'L

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 18°15'R

Traverse Surveying Question 4 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Deflection Angle Concept:

The deflection angle is the angle between the prolongation of the previous line (AB) and the next line (BC), measured clockwise (Right) or anticlockwise (Left).

Since both bearings are with respect to North and both in the 1st quadrant, the angle between them is simply:

δ=5245′3430′=1815′

Now determine the direction:

  • Since BC turns to the right from AB (as 34°30′ is less than 52°45′), the deflection is to the Right.

Traverse Surveying Question 5:

The algebraic sum of the deflection angle of a closed traverse is

  1. zero
  2. 90°
  3. 180°
  4. 360°

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 360°

Traverse Surveying Question 5 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Algebraic Sum of Deflection Angles in a Closed Traverse

The algebraic sum of the deflection angles in a closed traverse is based on the principle that the sum of all angles in a closed geometric figure must equal a specific value. In this case:

  • Deflection angles represent changes in direction between consecutive traverse lines.

  • A closed traverse forms a loop, where the starting and ending points coincide.

  • In such a closed system, the total turning or change in direction must be 360°.

Top Traverse Surveying MCQ Objective Questions

In a closed traverse, if Algebraic sum of latitudes ∑L = negative and Algebraic sum of departures ∑D = positive, the whole circle bearing of the error of closure will be between 

  1. 0 to 90° 
  2. 90° to 180°
  3. 180° to 270°
  4. 270° to 360°

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 90° to 180°

Traverse Surveying Question 6 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

For an error-free plotted traverse:

ΣL = 0, ΣD = 0

ΣL = Algebraic sum of Latitudes of all the sides

ΣD = Algebraic sum of departure of all the sides

For a segment AB

F1 N.M. Nita 24.10.2019 D 1

Latitude = L cos θ & Departure = L sin θ

Departure: The departure of a line is its projection on the east-west meridian.

Latitude: The Latitude of a line is its projection on the North-south meridian.

In whole circle bearing, Bearings are taken w.r.t North Direction

Calculation:

As  Latitude is -ve & Departure is +ve

So, the line lies in the second Quadrant.

So, The whole circle bearing of the error of closure will be between 90° and 180° 

Confusion PointsThe angle is measured clockwise in this, hence the when ΣL = -ve and ΣD =+ve, the angle will be 90o to 180o

In a closed traverse with five sides, the error found from the fore bearing and back bearing of the last line is + 1°. The correction to the third line will be:

  1. 0°24'
  2. 0°36'
  3. 0°48'
  4. 0°12'

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 0°36'

Traverse Surveying Question 7 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

In general, the closing error(e) in the traverse survey is given as:

\(e = \sqrt {{{\left( {{\rm{\Sigma }}L} \right)}^2} + {{\left( {{\rm{\Sigma }}D} \right)}^2}}\)

ΣL = Summation of Latitudes of all lines involved in traverse or also called error in Latitude

ΣD = Summation of Departure of all lines involved in traverse or also called error in Departure

However, in a closed traverse in which bearings are observed, the closing error in bearing may be determined by observing the bearing of the last line, and correction in the bearing of the last line is the closing error.

Calculation:

Given data

Number of sides of closed traverse(n) = 5

Error(e) = 1o

Now the correction on sides(or lines) of closed traverse as follows:

Correction to the first line

= e / n = 0°12′

Correction to the second line

= 2e /n = 0°24′

Correction to the third line

= 3e / n = 0°36′

Correction to the fourth line

= 4e / n =0°48′

Correction to the fifth line

= 5e / n = 1°0′

Bowditch rule is also termed as:

  1. transit rule
  2. axis rule
  3. graphical rule
  4. compass rule

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : compass rule

Traverse Surveying Question 8 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Balancing of errors: The process of adjusting the latitudes and departures to make the algebraic sum of latitudes or departures to zero is called the balancing of errors.

The two types of balancing rules to eliminate errors in traverse surveying are as follows:

1) Bowditch rule (Compass rule)/Compass rule: 

It is most commonly adopted when angular measurement and linear measurement both are nearly of same precision.

The correction is considered directly proportional to the length of the side.

By Bowditch rule Correction to a particular line is given by

\( {C_L} = \;l \times \frac{{{\bf{\Sigma }}L}}{{{\bf{\Sigma }}l}}\)

\({C_D} = \;l \times \frac{{{\rm{\Sigma }}D}}{{{\rm{\Sigma }}l}}\)

Where CL, Cis corrections in latitude and longitude for a line.

Correction for Latitude/Departure = Total error in Latitude/Departure ×  \(\frac{{{\bf{length}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{the}}\;{\bf{side}}}}{{{\bf{perimeter}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{the}}\;{\bf{traverse}}}}\)

2) Transit rule: 

When angular measurements are more precise than linear measurements, the transit method is adopted.

Correction to latitude/departure of any side = Total error in latitude/departure ×  \(\frac{{{\bf{Latitude/Departure}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{the}}\;{\bf{side}}}}{{{\bf{Arthmetical}}\;{\bf{sum}}\;{\bf{of}}\;{\bf{all}}\;{\bf{latitudes/departure}}}}\)

quesImage111

1. When the adjustment is made by the Bowditch rule, the length of the sides becomes less and the angle becomes more than that when the adjustment is made by the transit rule.

2. In Bowditch rule, it is assumed that the errors in linear measurements are proportional to \(\sqrt l \) and angular measurements are proportional to \(\frac{1}{{\sqrt l }}\)

The direction of the magnetic meridian is established at each traverse station and the direction of the line is determined with reference to the magnetic meridian, this method of traversing is known as-

  1. Loose needle method
  2. Fast needle method
  3. Bearing method
  4. Fixed needle method

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Loose needle method

Traverse Surveying Question 9 Detailed Solution

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Explanation

Loose needle/Free needle method-

  • In this method we try to measure magnetic meridian of each traverse line. In this method the linear measurements are taken with chain or tape and angular mneausrements are taken with the help of a compass.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D1

 

Fast needle method-

  • In this method we measure magnetic bearing of any one line. Generally it is first traverse line and included angle at all other stations will be measured. In this method the linear measurements are taken with chain or tape and angular measurements are taken with the help of a theodolite.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D2

 

Included angle method-

  • In this method we measure magnetic bearing of any one line and included angle at all stations will be measured.
  • The disadvantage of this method is that the traverse can be checked only if it is closed. 

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D3

  • This is the most accurate method. The order of accuracy in above three method will be-
  • Method of included angles > Fast needle method > Loose needle method

Direct angle method-

  • In this method, direct angles i.e angle towards right directions are measured.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D4

 

Deflection angle method-

  • Deflection angle method is used for open traverse, in which traverse line make small deflection like railway, canal, sewer etc.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D5

The latitude and departure of a line AB are +78 m and - 45.1 m, respectively. The whole circle bearing of the line AB is

  1. 150°
  2. 330°
  3. 30°
  4. 120°

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 330°

Traverse Surveying Question 10 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

For an error-free plotted traverse:

ΣL = 0, ΣD = 0

ΣL = Algebraic sum of Latitudes of all the sides

ΣD = Algebraic sum of departure of all the sides

For a segment AB

F1 N.M. Nita 24.10.2019 D 1

Latitude = L cos θ & Departure = L sin θ

In whole circle bearing, Bearings are taken w.r.t North Direction

Calculation:

As  Latitude is +ve & Departure is - ve

The line AB lies in 4 th quadrant ( > 270 ° )

F1 Ankita Madhuri 17.03.2021 D2

From the figure 

\(\tan \theta = \frac{{\sum D}}{{\sum L}} = \frac{{-45.1}}{{78}}\)

∴ θ =  - 30°

The whole circle bearing of the line AB is

α = - 30° + 360° = 330° 

In a closed loop traverse of 1 km total length, the closing errors in departure and latitude are 0.3 m and 0.4 m, respectively. The relative precision of this traverse will be:

  1. 1: 5000 
  2. 1: 4000 
  3. 1: 3000 
  4. 1: 2000

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 1: 2000

Traverse Surveying Question 11 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

The equation for closing error and angle fo misclosure is given by,

\({\rm{e}} = \sqrt {{{\left( {{\rm{Σ L}}} \right)}^2} + {{\left( {{\rm{Σ D}}} \right)}^2}} \)

\({\rm{\theta }} = {\tan ^{ - 1}}\left[ {\frac{{{\rm{Σ D}}}}{{{\rm{Σ L}}}}} \right]\)

Where,

e = closing error, θ = angle of misclosure

ΣL = Algebraic sum of latitudes of all lines  

ΣD = Algebraic sum of departures of all lines

The relative error of closure (r)

\({\rm{r}} = \frac{{{\rm{Closing\;error\;of\;a\;traverse}}}}{{{\rm{perimeter\;of\;a\;traverse}}}} = \frac{{\rm{e}}}{{\rm{P}}}\)

Where, P =perimeter of a traverse = Total length of a traverse

The degree of accuracy or the relative precision

\({\rm{Relative\;precision}} = \frac{1}{{\frac{{\rm{P}}}{{\rm{e}}}}} \)

Calculation:

Given,

ΣL = 0.4m, ΣD = 0.3 m

P = 1 km = 1000 m

we know that

\({\rm{e}} = \sqrt {{{\left( {{\rm{Σ L}}} \right)}^2} + {{\left( {{\rm{Σ D}}} \right)}^2}} \)

\({\rm{e}} = \sqrt {{{\left( {{\rm{0.4}}} \right)}^2} + {{\left( {{\rm{0.3}}} \right)}^2}} \)

e = 0.5 m

\({\rm{Relative\;precision}} = \frac{1}{{\frac{{\rm{P}}}{{\rm{e}}}}}=\frac{1}{{\frac{{\rm{1000}}}{{\rm{0.5}}}}} =\frac{5}{{10000}} = \frac{1}{{2000}}\)

In a closed loop traverse of 1 km total length, the closing errors in departure and latitude are 0.3 m and 0.4 m respectively. The relative precision this traverse will be

  1. 1:5000
  2. 1:4000
  3. 1:2000
  4. 1:3000

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 1:2000

Traverse Surveying Question 12 Detailed Solution

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Total closing error(c) = \(\sqrt {{{\left( {\sum L} \right)}^2} + {{\left( {\sum D} \right)}^2}}\)

Sum of latitude = 0.4 m

Sum of Departure = 0.3 m

\(C = \sqrt {{{\left( {0.4} \right)}^2} + {{\left( {0.3} \right)}^2}} \)

C = 0.5m

Relative error of closure or Relative precision of this traverse = \(\frac{c}{p}\)

p ⇒ Perimeter of traverse = 1 km = 1000 m

Relative precision = \(\frac{{0.5}}{{1000}} = 5 \times {10^{ - 4}} = \frac{1}{{2000}}\)

If the reduced bearing of line AB is N 30° E and length is 100 m, then the latitude and departure respectively of the line AB will be:

  1. + 86.6 m, + 50 m
  2. + 50 m, + 86.6 m
  3. + 86.6 m, - 50 m
  4. - 86.6 m, + 50 m

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : + 86.6 m, + 50 m

Traverse Surveying Question 13 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Untitled

L = Latitude is the projection on North-South meridian

D = Departure is the projection on East-west meridian

θ = Bearing angle

l = Length of the line

L = l × Cos θ 

D = l × Sin θ 

\({\rm{Line}}\;{\rm{closure = L}}{\rm{.C = }}\sqrt {{{\left( {{\rm{\Sigma L}}} \right)}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ + }}{{\left( {{\rm{\Sigma D}}} \right)}^{\rm{2}}}} \)

Calculation:

Given,

l = 100 m, θ = 30° 

L = + 100 × cos 30° = + 86.60 m

D = + 100 × sin 30° = + 50 m

The latitude and departure respectively of the line AB are + 86.60 m and 50 m

Two points P and Q located on a map have the following coordinates:

Latitude

+30 m

10 m

Departure

+40 m

-10 m

Determine the length of PQ.

  1. 60 m
  2. 50 m
  3. 34.89 m
  4. 53.85 m

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 53.85 m

Traverse Surveying Question 14 Detailed Solution

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Calculation:

Given data

Two points P and Q located on a map have the following coordinates:

Latitude

+30 m

+10 m

Departure

+40 m

-10 m

 

F1 Shraddha Akhil 04.01.2022 D1

The length of the line PQ is

\(= \sqrt{[40-(-10)]^2+[(30-10)]^2}\) = \(\sqrt{2900}\) = 53.85 m

Which of the following is true as far as accuracy is concerned with respect to Theodolite survey?

  1. Fast needle method > Loose needle method > Method of included angles 
  2. Fast needle method > Method of included angles > Loose needle method 
  3. Loose needle method > Method of included angles > Fast needle method
  4. Method of included angles > Fast needle method > Loose needle method

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Method of included angles > Fast needle method > Loose needle method

Traverse Surveying Question 15 Detailed Solution

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Explanation

Loose needle/Free needle method-

  • In this method we try to measure magnetic bearing of each traverse line. In this method the linear measurements are taken with chain or tape and angular mneausreme4nts are taken with the help of a compass.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D1

 

Fast needle method-

  • In this method we measure magnetic bearing of any one line. Generally it is first traverse line and included angle at all other stations will be measured. In this method the linear measurements are taken with chain or tape and angular measurements are taken with the help of a theodolite.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D2

 

Included angle method-

  • In this method we measure magnetic bearing of any one line and included angle at all stations will be measured.
  • The disadvantage of this method is that the traverse can be checked only if it is closed. 

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D3

  • This is the most accurate method. The order of accuracy in above three method will be-
  • Method of included angles > Fast needle method > Loose needle method

Direct angle method-

  • In this method, direct angles i.e angle towards right directions are measured.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D4

 

Deflection angle method-

  • Deflection angle method is used for open traverse, in which traverse line make small deflection like railway, canal, sewer etc.

F1 Killi 13.3.21 Pallavi D5

 

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