Least Square Adjustment is a method of finding the most probable

values for unknown quantities based on observations equations or

functions that can be expressed in terms of observed quantities, its
residuals and the unknown quantities, that fulfilled the condition where
the sum of the residuals squared is minimum

 2
  2
1   2
2   2
3  .....   n  min
2

The minimum value of a function can be obtained from the first

derivative of the functions with respect to the unknowns.

  2
0
x
 Observation equations are formulated by relating the observed
quantities and its residuals as well as the unknown quantities in
mathematical expression.

 One equation is formed for one observation.

 A unique solution for the unknown would be obtained if the number

of observation equations is equal to the number of unknowns.

 If the observations were redundant, i.e the number of observations

exceeds the number of unknown, then the observations need to be
adjusted using the least squares adjustment method in order to reach
a unique solution for the unknown
 Example: Linear equation

Different results in x and y indicate the presence of errors

in the observed values.

To get a unique solution, the observations need to be adjusted

Formation of observation equations

x  y  3.0   1
2 x  y  1.5   2

x  y  0.2   3

Which are the observed quantities, its residuals and the

unknown?

Find the value of the sum of residuals using least squares

principle/condition
Formation of observation equations

x  y  3.0   1
2 x  y  1.5   2

x  y  0.2   3

Which are the observed quantities, its residuals and the

unknown?

Find the value of the sum of residuals using least squares

principle/condition
Residuals

  Ax  L

Sum of residuals squared

 2
?
Adjustment of elevation differences for the
determination of height above MSL
Find elevations of A, B and C
The distance between points A, B, C and D were measured using two (2)
different Total Station that have constant error. The mean values of the
measured distance are given above. Using the observations of instrument 1,
compute the (a) instrument constant error and its standard deviation, and (b)
most probable value for distance AB, BC, CD and AD, and it standard
deviations based on Least-Square method.
Unknown quantities (u = 4)
Observed quantities (n = 12)