Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

What is the standard length of a Gunter's Chain?

1. 30 ft

2. 53 ft

3. 66 ft

4. 130 ft

The correct answer is: 66 ft

Gunter's Chain is a traditional land measurement tool used in surveying, and its standard length is 66 feet. This measurement consists of 100 links, with each link measuring 0.66 feet long. The significance of the Gunter's Chain lies in its historical use for land surveying, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, facilitating the measurement of larger areas more efficiently than other methods available at the time. Understanding the standard length of Gunter's Chain is crucial for surveyors as it establishes consistency in calculating areas, converting linear measurements into area calculations, and understanding the relationship between various units of measurement in land surveying. The length of 66 feet allows surveyors to easily convert measurements into acres, as 10 chains (or 660 feet) corresponds to 1 acre. This is especially relevant when working in rural areas where land is commonly measured in acres.