CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What is the definition of accuracy in surveying?

1. The consistency of repeated measurements

2. The closeness of a measurement to the true value

3. The error introduced by the measurement process

4. The average of multiple measurements

The correct answer is: The closeness of a measurement to the true value

In surveying, accuracy is defined as the closeness of a measurement to the true value. This means that accuracy is concerned with how well a measured value reflects the actual or real-world value. High accuracy indicates that the measurements you take are very close to the actual value you are trying to determine, which is crucial in surveying for ensuring reliable and valid results. Understanding accuracy is essential because it directly impacts the quality of surveys and the decisions made based on those surveys. Surveyors aim to minimize discrepancies between the measurements they take and the true values, applying techniques such as calibration of instruments and careful measurement practices to enhance accuracy. The other definitions relate to different concepts within surveying: while consistency of repeated measurements touches on precision, errors in measurement processes indicate uncertainties that can affect both accuracy and precision. The average of multiple measurements can provide a more reliable estimate of a value but does not define accuracy itself.