CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What is a defining feature of bearing measurements?

1. It measures angles from 0 to 270 degrees

2. It uses the south axis as a reference only

3. It is limited to 0 to 90 degrees and relative to north or south

4. It can measure angles in 3D space

The correct answer is: It is limited to 0 to 90 degrees and relative to north or south

Bearing measurements are a method of indicating direction with a reference to the cardinal directions. The defining feature of bearing measurements is that they are limited to angles between 0 and 90 degrees and always expressed in relation to either the north or south direction. This means that a bearing measurement constitutes an angle formed from one of the cardinal points—north or south—to the line of interest, while the angle can extend east or west from that point. For example, a bearing of N30°E indicates 30 degrees east of north, and a bearing of S45°W indicates 45 degrees west of south. By restricting measurements to this quadrant system, bearers create a consistent framework for describing directions, making communication about navigational and surveying tasks more efficient and standardized. This system is helpful in practical applications, such as land surveying, where precision in defining the orientation of property lines, construction sites, and geographical features is crucial. The use of angles greater than 90 degrees would not adhere to the conventional bearing system, which is why the option mentioning that bearing measures angles solely within this limit is the most accurate description.