1. PROBABLE ERROR.

The following values were determined in a series of tape

measurements of a line: 1000.58, 1000.40, 1000.38, 1000.48, 1000.40, and 1000.46
meters. Determine the following:
a. Most probable value of the measured length.
b. Probable error of a single measurement and probable error of the mean.
c. Final expression for the most probable length
d. Relative precision of the measurement.

Given:
MEASURED LENGTH RESIDUAL SQ. OF RESIDUAL
(x) (v = x - x̄) (v2 )
1. 1000.58 +0.13 0.0169
2. 1000.40 -0.05 0.0025
3. 1000.38 -0.07 0.0049
4. 1000.48 +0.03 0.0009
5. 1000.40 -0.05 0.0025
6. 1000.46 +0.01 0.0001
∑x = 6002.7 ∑v = 0.00 2
∑v = 0.0278

∑x 6002.7
x̄ = = = 1000.45
6 6

Answers:
a. MPV = x̄ = 1000.45

∑v2 0.0278
b. PEs = ± 0.6745 √ = ± 0.6745 √ = ± 0.05m
n-1 6-1
True Distance: 1000.50 or 1000.40

PEs 0.05
PEm = ± =± = ± 0.02m
√n √6
True Distance: 1000.47 to 1000.43

c. Therefore the length of the measured line may be expressed as 1000.45m ± 0.02.
This means that there is a 50 percent chance that the true distance measured
probably falls between 1000.43m and 1000.47m, and that its most probable value
is 1000.45m. There is also, however, a 50 percent chance that the true distance lies
outside this range.
PEm 0.02 0.02⁄ 1 1
1
d. Relative Precision = = 1000.45 = 1000.45⁄ = 1000.45 = 50,000
MPV 1 ⁄0.02
2. WEIGHTED MEASUREMENTS. Four measurements of a distance were recorded as
284.18, 284.19, 284.22, and 284.20 meters and given weights of 1, 3, 2, and 4,
respectively. Determine the weighted mean.

Tabulated Solutions:
MEASURED LENGTH ASSIGNED WEIGHT
P = X(W)
(X) (W)
1. 284.18 1 284/18
2. 284.19 3 852/57
3. 284.22 2 568.44
4. 284.20 4 1136.80
Sums ∑W = 10 ∑P = 2841.99

Required: Weighted Mean

Solution:
∑P 2841.99
Weighted Mean = = = 284.20m
∑W 10

3. WEIGHTED MEASUREMENTS. It is desired to determine the most probable value of

an angle which has been measured at different times by different observers with equal
care. The values observed were as follows: 74°39’45” (in two measurements), 74°39’27”
(in four measurements), and 74°39’35” (in six measurements).

Tabulated Solutions:
PRODUCT OF THE TWO
MEASURED VALUES NO. OF OBSERVATIONS
QUANTITIES
1. 74°39’45” 2 149°19’30”
2. 74°39’27” 4 298°37’48”
3. 74°39’35” 6 447°57’30”
Sums 12 895°54’48”

895°54’48”
Weighted Mean (MPV) = = 74°39’34” (most probable value of the single measurement)
12
4. WEIGHTED MEASUREMENTS. Lines of levels to establish the elevation of a point
are run over four different routes. The observed elevations of the point with probable
errors are given below. Determine the most probable value of the elevation of the point.

Tabulated Solutions:
OBSERVED PROBABLE 1 RELATIVE
2 P=
LINE ELEVATION ERROR (E) W = 2 WEIGHT
(ELEV) (E) (E) (RW)
ELEV(RW)
1 219.832m ± 0.006m 0.000036 27778 16.00 3517.312
2 219.930m ± 0.012m 0.000144 6944 4.00 879.720
3 219.701m ± 0.018m 0.000324 3086 1.78 391.068
4 220.021m ± 0.024m 0.000576 1736 1.00 220.021
Sums 22.78 5008.121

Note: A relative weight equal to 1.00 is assigned to line 4 since it has the smallest weight
(W), and the relative weights of lines 1, 2, and 3 are computed as follows:

RW1 = W1 / W4 = 27778 / 1736 = 16.00

RW2 = W2 / W4 = 6994 / 1736 = 4.00
RW3 = W3 / W4 = 3086 / 1736 = 1.78

Answer:
∑(P) 5008.121
Weighted Mean (MPV) = = = 219.847m
∑(RW) 22.78

5. WEIGHTED MEASUREMENTS. The length of a line was measured repeatedly on

three different occasions and the probable error of each mean value was computed with
the following results:

1st Set of Measurements = 1201.50 ± 0.02m

2nd Set of Measurements = 1201.45 ± 0.04m
3rd Set of Measurements = 1201.62 ± 0.05m

Determine the weighted mean of the three sets of measurements.

 Tabulated Solutions:
MEASURED PROBABLE 1
RELATIVE
MEASUREMENT VALUE ERROR (E)2 W=
(E) 2 WEIGHT P = X(RW)
(X) (E) (RW)
1st Set 1201.50m ± 0.02 0.0004 2500 6.25 7509.38
2nd Set 1201.45m ± 0.04 0.0016 625 1.56 1874.26
3rd Set 1201.62m ± 0.05 0.0025 400 1 1201.62
Sums 8.81 10585.26

Answer:
∑ (P) 10585.26
Weighted Mean (MPV) = = = 1201.51m
∑ (RW) 8.81

6. SUMMATION OF ERRORS. The three sides of a triangular-shaped tract of land is

given by the following measurements and corresponding probable errors: a = 162.54 ±
0.03m, b = 234.26 ± 0.05m, and c = 195.70 ± 0.04m. Determine the probable error of the
sum and the most probable value of the perimeter.

Given:

b = 234.26 ± 0.05m

Required:
1. Probable Error of the Sum
2. Most Probable Value (MPV) of the Perimeter
Solution:
Perimeter = a + b + c = 162.54 + 234.26 + 195.70 = 592.50m (perimeter)

PEs = ± √(PE1 )2 + (PE2 )2 + (PE3 )2 = ± √(0.03)2 + (0.05)2 + (0.04)2 = ± 0.07m

Note: Therefore, the perimeter would be expressed as 592.50 ± 0.07m. This means that
the true length of the perimeter probably falls between 592.43m and 592.57m.
7. PRODUCT OF ERRORS. The two sides of a rectangular lot were measured with
certain estimated probable errors as follows: W = 253.36 ± 0.06m and L = 624.15 ±
0.08m. Determine the area of the lot and the probable error in the resulting calculation.

Given:

L = 624.15 ± 0.08m

W = 253.36 ± 0.06m

Required: Area of lot and the error

Solution:
Area = LW = 624.15(253.36) = 158134.64 sq. m

PEp = ± √(L x PEw )2 + (W x PEl )2 = ± √(624.15 x 0.06)2 + (253.36 x 0.08)2

PEp = ± 42.58 sq. m

Note: Therefore, the area of the lot would be expressed as 158134.64 ± 42.58 sq. m. This
means that the true area of the lot probably falls between 158092.06 sq. m and 158177.22
sq. m.