What is the method called when you determine the position of an unknown point by occupying points with known coordinates?

What is the method called when you determine the position of an unknown point by occupying points with known coordinates?

• A. Resection
• B. Resection, known
• C. Observation
• D. Intersection

Answer: (D)

This is the intersection method. You use known reference points with known coordinates to establish lines of position toward the unknown point. From each reference point you determine a line that should pass through the unknown point (by bearing, distance, or other measured data). The unknown location is found where those lines cross—the intersection. Using at least two lines makes the location unambiguous, and additional lines can improve accuracy through a least-squares adjustment. This contrasts with resections, which place you at the unknown point to measure back to known points, rather than drawing lines from known points to the unknown.

This is the intersection method. You use known reference points with known coordinates to establish lines of position toward the unknown point. From each reference point you determine a line that should pass through the unknown point (by bearing, distance, or other measured data). The unknown location is found where those lines cross—the intersection. Using at least two lines makes the location unambiguous, and additional lines can improve accuracy through a least-squares adjustment. This contrasts with resections, which place you at the unknown point to measure back to known points, rather than drawing lines from known points to the unknown.