Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

Random errors generally result from:

1. systematic adjustments

2. calibrated instruments

3. imperfections in the instrument or the observers

4. excessive environmental control

The correct answer is: imperfections in the instrument or the observers

Random errors are variations that occur in measurements due to unpredictable fluctuations during the measurement process. These errors are inherently due to imperfections in the measuring instruments or the observers conducting the measurements. For example, an observer may be subject to human factors such as fatigue or misreading a measurement, while instruments may have inherent resolution limits, mechanical wear, or fluctuations in environmental conditions affecting their performance. The nature of random errors is such that they can be minimized through repeated measurements, but they cannot be entirely eliminated. This distinguishes them from systematic errors, which are consistent and tend to skew measurements in a particular direction due to calibration issues or biases. Therefore, the assertion that random errors arise from imperfections in the instruments or observers aligns with the fundamental understanding of how irregular, unpredictable variations manifest in the measurement process.