Which of the following statement is not correct for the principle of surveying?

Discussion - MCQs on Surveying – Principles of Surveying

Which of the following statement is not correct for the principle of surveying?

A. Location of a point with respect to two references
B. Major control points are measured with lower degree of precision
C. Minor control points are measured with higher degree of precision
D. Working from part to whole
Correct Statement of Principle: Working from WHOLE to PART

📝 Detailed Explanation: The Two Fundamental Principles of Surveying

To ensure accuracy and reliability in any survey project, two fundamental principles must always be followed. This question tests the understanding of these core concepts, particularly the most important one regarding the workflow.

Principle 1: Working from the Whole to the Part

This is the single most important principle of surveying, designed to prevent the accumulation of errors and to localize any mistakes.

The Correct Method
  • First, establish a network of major control points (e.g., the outer boundary of the survey area) with the highest possible degree of precision.
  • Then, use this primary network as a reference to establish minor control points (subsidiary details) with a relatively lower degree of precision.
  • This ensures that errors are confined within the smaller, less precise sections and do not affect the overall accuracy of the primary framework.
The Incorrect Method: "Working from Part to Whole"

The statement in option (d) describes the exact opposite of the correct principle. This method is fundamentally flawed for the following reasons:

  • Starting with small, detailed measurements and expanding outward causes small, unavoidable errors to accumulate at each step.
  • By the time the survey reaches the outer boundaries, these small errors will have magnified into a large, unacceptable discrepancy.
  • There is no way to check or localize the error, compromising the entire survey.

Principle 2: Location of a Point by Measurement from Two Points of Reference

The position of a new point can only be fixed if its location is measured from at least two other known reference points. The position is determined by the intersection of two lines or arcs. This is why option (a) is a correct principle.

⚙️ Analyzing the Options

  • (a) Location of a point with respect to two references: This is a correct and fundamental principle.
  • (b) Major control points are measured with lower degree of precision: This is an incorrect statement. Major points are measured with the HIGHEST precision.
  • (c) Minor control points are measured with higher degree of precision: This is an incorrect statement. Minor points are measured with a LOWER precision relative to major points.
  • (d) Working from part to whole: This is the direct violation of the most fundamental principle. While (b) and (c) are factually wrong, (d) describes an incorrect *procedure* or *principle*, making it the best answer for a question about the "principle of surveying."
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