Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

The purpose of a perpendicular bisector in surveying is to:

1. divide an angle into two equal parts

2. create a right angle

3. identify the center of circular arcs

4. measure distance accurately

The correct answer is: identify the center of circular arcs

The purpose of a perpendicular bisector in surveying is to identify the center of circular arcs. A perpendicular bisector is a line that cuts another line segment into two equal parts at a right angle. When applied to a circular arc, constructing the perpendicular bisectors of two chords of the arc will intersect at the center of the circle from which the arc is derived. This property is particularly useful in surveying when it is necessary to determine the precise location of the center of circular features, such as when laying out curves or ensuring that the layout adheres to certain design specifications. While the other choices relate to important concepts in geometry and surveying, they do not encapsulate the primary role of a perpendicular bisector as effectively as identifying the center of circular arcs does. Dividing an angle into two equal parts pertains to angle bisectors, creating a right angle relates to general perpendicular lines, and measuring distance accurately pertains to different measurement techniques rather than the specific action of a perpendicular bisector.