Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

What is the area of a square with one Gunter's chain on a side?

1. 250 ft²

2. 4400 ft²

3. 10,000 ft²

4. 44,000 ft²

The correct answer is: 4400 ft²

To determine the area of a square with one Gunter's chain on a side, it's essential to know the length of a Gunter's chain. A Gunter's chain measures 66 feet in length. When calculating the area of a square, the formula used is the side length squared. In this case, since one side of the square is a Gunter's chain, the calculation becomes: Area = Side length × Side length = 66 ft × 66 ft = 4356 ft². However, the answer choices provided seem to be rounded for practical surveying purposes, and the closest approximation is 4400 ft². This rounding is common in field applications where precise measurements may lead to rounded or simplified figures for easier interpretation. Thus, by understanding the base measurement of a Gunter's chain and the calculation of the area of a square, it becomes clear why the estimated area is reflected in the choice that corresponds to these values in the context of surveying applications.