Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

Which of the following describes an error that occurs due to a lack of precision in measurement?

1. Blunder

2. Systematic error

3. Random error

4. Precision error

The correct answer is: Random error

The correct choice refers to random error, which arises from unpredictable variations in measurements. Random errors are typically caused by factors such as environmental changes, limitations in measuring instruments, or slight differences in measurement techniques by different surveyors. These errors can be identified through repeated measurements and statistical analysis, as they tend to scatter around the true value rather than skewing it in a particular direction. Addressing random errors involves taking multiple measurements and using averaging techniques to minimize their impact. In contrast, blunders are significant mistakes that often occur due to human oversight, such as reading errors or miscalculations, and they can be easily detected and corrected. Systematic errors, on the other hand, stem from consistent flaws in the measurement process or equipment that lead to biased outcomes, thus skewing results in one direction rather than producing a random distribution around the true value. Precision error is not a formal term used in surveying; instead, precision refers to the repeatability of measurements, and while it can relate to the quality of measurements taken, it doesn't specifically denote a type of error in the same way as random or systematic errors.