Geodetic Computations and

Adjustments
Engr. May Z. Valdez
Propagation of Errors
1. Addition and Subtraction: 𝒛 𝒙 𝒚 𝒐𝒓 𝒛 𝒙 𝒚

Example: 𝑤 4.52 0.02 𝑐𝑚, 𝑥 2.0 0.2 𝑐𝑚, 𝑦 3.0 0.6 𝑐𝑚.
Find 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑤 and its uncertainty.
𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 𝑤 2.0 3.0 4.52 0.48𝑐𝑚
∆𝑧 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑤 0.2 0.6 0.02 0.82
𝒛′ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟖 𝟎. 𝟖𝟐 𝒄𝒎
Propagation of Errors
2. Multiplication by an exact number

When multiplying a measurement value with an exact number, multiply

the uncertainty also with the exact number.
Example: The radius of a circle is r = (3.0 ± 0.2)cm. Find the
circumference and its uncertainty.
𝐶 2𝜋𝑟 18.850𝑐𝑚
∆𝐶 2𝜋∆𝑟 1.257𝑐𝑚 (The factors of 2 and π are exact)
𝑪′ 𝟏𝟖. 𝟖𝟓 𝟏. 𝟐𝟔 𝒄𝒎
Propagation of Errors
3. Multiplication and Division: z = xꞏy or z = x/y

Example: w = (4.52 ± 0.02)cm,x = (2.0 ± 0.2)cm. Find z = w ∙ x and its uncertainty.

𝑧 𝑤 𝑥 4.52 2.0 9.04𝑐𝑚
0.02𝑐𝑚 0.2𝑐𝑚
∆𝑧/ 9.04𝑐𝑚 0.1044
4.52𝑐𝑚 2.0𝑐𝑚
∆𝑧 0.1044 9.04𝑐𝑚 0.944𝑐𝑚 ⇒ 0.94𝑐𝑚
𝐳 𝟗. 𝟎𝟒 𝟎. 𝟗𝟒 𝒄𝒎𝟐
Propagation of Errors
4. Products of Powers 𝒛 𝒙𝒎 𝒚𝒏

Example: 𝑥 24.21 0.03 , 𝑦 32.05 0.04 . Find z if 𝑧 𝑥 𝑦

𝑧 𝑥 𝑦 24.21 32.05 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟏𝟕. 𝟐𝟕
∆ ∆ ∆
𝑚 𝑛
∆𝑧 0.03 0.04
3 2
15,217.27 24.21 32.05
∆𝒛 𝟗𝟒. 𝟓𝟓
𝒛′ 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟏𝟕. 𝟐𝟕 𝟗𝟒. 𝟓𝟓
Propagation of Errors
5. Mixtures of multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, and powers.
Example: 𝑤 4.52 0.02 𝑐𝑚, 𝑥 2.0 0.2 𝑐𝑚, 𝑦 3.0 0.6 𝑐𝑚. Find 𝑧 𝑤𝑥 𝑦
𝑧 𝑤𝑥 𝑦
𝑧 4.52 2.0 3.0
𝒛 𝟏𝟖. 𝟎𝟒 𝒄𝒎𝟐
𝑣 𝑤𝑥 4.52 2.0 𝟗. 𝟎𝟒𝒄𝒎𝟐
∆𝑣 ∆𝑤 ∆𝑥
𝑣 𝑤 𝑥
∆𝑣 0.02 0.2
9.04 4.52 2.0
∆𝒗 𝟎. 𝟗𝟒 𝒄𝒎𝟐
𝒗′ 𝟗. 𝟎𝟒 𝟎. 𝟗𝟒 𝒄𝒎𝟐
∆ ∆ .
0.40
.
∆ 𝑦 0.40 9.00𝑐𝑚 𝟑. 𝟔𝒄𝒎𝟐
∆𝑧 ∆𝑣 ∆ 𝑦 0.94 3.6 𝟒. 𝟓𝟒𝒄𝒎𝟐
𝒛′ 𝟏𝟖. 𝟎𝟒 𝟒. 𝟓𝟒 𝒄𝒎𝟐
Linearization of Uni‐ and Multi‐
variate Functions
Example:
1. Find the linearization, 𝐿 𝑥, 𝑦 , of 𝒛 𝒚√𝒙 at the point 9, 2 .
Solution:
From 𝐿 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑓 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑥 𝑎 𝑓𝑥 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑦 𝑏 𝑓𝑦 𝑎, 𝑏

𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑦√𝑥
𝒇 𝒂, 𝒃 2√9 𝟔

𝜕𝑓 𝑦
𝑓𝑥
𝜕𝑥 2√𝑥
2 𝟏
𝒇𝒙 𝒂, 𝒃
2√9 𝟑

𝜕𝑓
𝑓𝑦 √𝑥
𝜕𝑦
𝒇𝒚 𝒂, 𝒃 √9 𝟑

𝐿 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑓 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑥
𝑎 𝑓𝑥 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑦 𝑏 𝑓𝑦 𝑎, 𝑏
1
𝐿 𝑥, 𝑦 6 𝑥 9 𝑦 2 3
3
𝑥
𝐿 𝑥, 𝑦 6 3 3𝑦 6
3
𝒙
𝑳 𝒙, 𝒚 𝟑𝒚 𝟑
𝟑
Example:
𝟐
2. Find the linearization, of at .
Error Propagation for Multi‐variate Functions
Error Propagation for Multi‐variate Functions
Error Propagation for Multi‐variate Functions
Error Propagation for Multi‐variate Functions
Error Propagation for Multi‐variate Functions
Error Propagation for Multi‐variate Functions
Error Propagation for Multi‐variate Functions
Approximate Method of Adjustment
Given the data:
Observed Value Observed Value
Angle Angle
d m s d m s
a 240 21 00 j 189 09 51
b 60 29 10 k 39 05 01
c 59 10 05 l 71 40 02
d 301 34 49 m 60 05 10
e 58 25 15 n 249 35 30
f 62 25 10 o 45 10 20
g 59 25 10 p 65 14 10
h 63 10 08 Q 284 19 47
i 174 59 24 r 75 40 19
 Station Adjustment
Observed Value Adjusted Value
Station Angle Corr'n
d m s d m s
a 240 21 00 5.34” 240 20 54.66
A b 60 29 10 5.33” 60 29 4.67
c 59 10 06 5.33” 59 10 0.67
sum 360°0'16" 16” 360°
d 301 34 49 3.5” 301 34 45.5
B e 58 25 18 3.5” 58 25 14.5
sum 360°0'7" 7” 360°
f 62 25 5 0.75” 62 25 5.75 Observed Value Adjusted Value
Station Angle Corr'n
g 59 25 10 0.75” 59 25 10.75 d m s d m s
n 249 35 30
C h 63 10 18 0.75” 63 10 18.75
E o 45 10 20
i 174 59 24 0.75” 174 59 24.75
p 65 14 10
sum 359°59'57" 3” 360° sum 360°
j 189 9 51 3.25” 189 9 47.75 q 284 19 47 3” 284 19 44
k 39 5 10 3.25” 39 5 6.75 F r 75 40 19 3” 75 40 16
D l 71 40 02 3.25” 71 39 58.75 sum 360°0'6" 6” 360°
m 60 5 10 3.25” 60 5 6.75
sum 360°0'13" 13” 360°
Figure Adjustment Figure Angle
d
Observed Value
m s
Corr'n
d
Adjusted Value
m s
c 59 10 0.67 6.97” 59 9 53.70
f 62 25 5.75 6.98” 62 24 58.77
ABC
e 58 25 14.5 6.97” 58 25 7.53
sum 180°0'20.92" 20.92” 180°
b 60 29 4.67 12.61” 60 29 17.28
g 59 25 10.75 12.61” 59 25 23.36
ACD
m 60 5 6.75 12.61” 60 5 19.36
sum 179°59'22.17" 37.83” 180°
h 63 10 18.75 12.5” 63 10 6.25
l 71 39 58.75 12.5” 71 39 46.25
CDE
o 45 10 20 12.5” 45 10 7.50
sum 180°0'37.5" 37.5” 180°
k 39 5 6.75 9.08” 39 5 15.83
p 65 14 10 9.08” 65 14 19.08
DEF
r 75 40 16 9.09” 75 40 25.09
sum 179°59'32.75" 27.25” 180°
Adjustment of Quadrilateral
Side Conditions Equations
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑 180°
𝑐 𝑑 𝑒 𝑓 180°
𝑎 𝑏 𝑔 ℎ 180°
𝑒 𝑓 𝑔 ℎ 180°
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑 𝑒 𝑓 𝑔 ℎ 𝑛 2 180° 360°
𝑐 𝑑 𝑔 ℎ

Side Condition Equation:

Example:
Given are the tabulated values of angles
after station adjustment.
Observed Observed
Angle Value Angle Value
d m s d m s
a 42 38 36 e 62 0 46
b 64 52 28 f 45 29 58
c 40 32 57 g 33 31 32
d 31 56 7 h 38 57 40
Angle Condition Equation
Angle Condition Equation
Observed Value Adjusted Value
Angle Corr'n
d m s d m s
a 42 38 36 ‐5.5” 42 38 30.5

b 64 52 28 ‐5.5” 64 52 22.5
c 40 32 57 1.5” 40 32 58.5
d 31 56 7 1.5” 31 56 8.5
e 62 0 46 4.5” 62 0 50.5
f 45 29 58 4.5” 45 30 2.5
g 33 31 32 ‐2.5” 33 31 29.5

h 38 57 40 ‐2.5” 38 57 37.5
Sum 360°
Side Condition Equation

Tabular diff Tabular

Angle Log Sine Angle Log Sine
of 1" diff of 1"

a' 9.830853449 22.86 b' 9.956825228 9.88

c' 9.812984077 24.61 d' 9.723428685 33.78

e' 9.945991446 11.19 f' 9.853247226 20.69

g' 9.742174071 31.78 h' 9.798501028 26.04

sum 9.332003043 90.44 sum 9.332002167 90.39

Side Condition Equation
Observed Value Adjusted Value
Angle Corr'n
d m s d m s
a' 42 38 30.5 ‐0.49” 42 38 30.01
b' 64 52 22.5 +0.49” 64 52 22.99
c' 40 32 58.5 ‐0.49” 40 32 58.01
d' 31 56 8.5 +0.49” 31 56 8.99
e' 62 0 50.5 ‐0.49” 62 0 50.01
f' 45 30 2.5 +0.49” 45 30 2.99
g' 33 31 29.5 ‐0.49” 33 31 29.01
h' 38 57 37.5 +0.49” 38 57 37.99
sum 360°
Probability Theory
Probability Theory
Probability Theory
Probability Theory
 Example:
f x fx v v2 fdf cdf
1 499.98 499.98 ‐0.02 0.0004 7.204168934 0.036819135
2 499.99 999.98 ‐0.01 0.0001 23.91868319 0.185546685
3 500.00 1500 0 0 35.68248232 0.500000000
2 500.01 1000.02 0.01 0.0001 23.91868319 0.814453315
1 500.02 500.02 0.02 0.0004 7.204168934 0.963180865
Strength of Figure
Strength of Figure
Strength of Figure Factor
Geometric conditions
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the strength of figure factor (F):
Determine the strength of figure factor if all stations are occupied and all lines are observed in
both directions.
Sample problems for determining the values of ∆𝟐𝑨 ∆𝑨 ∆𝑩 ∆𝟐𝑩
for triangles:
Given the two pairs of distance angles: 33° & 60° and 36° & 58°,

Solution:
30° 33° 35°
Using the table:
60° 19 X 14
For the distance angles 33° & 60°:

From table, the intersection of 33° & 60° is

33 30 𝑋 19
35 30 14 19
𝑿 𝟏𝟔
Sample problems for determining the values of ∆𝟐𝑨 ∆𝑨 ∆𝑩 ∆𝟐𝑩
for triangles:
Given the two pairs of distance angles: 33° & 60° and 36° & 58°,

35° 40°
Solution: 55° 16 12
From table, the intersection of 36° & 58° is 60° 14 11
Sample problems for determining the values of ∆𝟐𝑨 ∆𝑨 ∆𝑩 ∆𝟐𝑩
for triangles:
Sample problem:
Given the quadrilateral ABCD in the accompanying figure, assume that the observed interior
angles have already been subjected to station and figure adjustment. If all triangulation
stations were occupied and all lines observed in both directions. Compute the unknown
distance using the strongest route.
Solution:
 Route Distance Angles Tabular diff of 1” ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ R
43° 2.258
Solution: 60° 1.216
9.32
36° 2.899
1 21.97 18.77
40° 2.509

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ 31.29

90° 0
2.52
53° 1.587
104° 0.525
2 7.89 6.25
40° 2.509

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ 10.41

77° 0.486
2.31
60° 1.216
89° 0.037
3 3.93 3.74
47° 1.963

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ 6.24

37° 2.794
14.76
53° 1.587
44° 2.180
4 12.89 16.59
47° 1.963

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ 27.65
 Considering triangles ABD and BCD with
Solution:
common side BD in route 3 as the strongest:
𝐵𝐷 𝐴𝐷
sin 77° sin 60°
𝐵𝐷 𝐵𝐶
sin 89° sin 47°
Equating BD,
𝐴𝐷 𝑠𝑖𝑛 77° 𝐵𝐶 sin 89°
sin 60° sin 47°
𝐴𝐷 sin 77° sin 47°
𝐵𝐶
sin 60° sin 89°
1,234.56 sin 77° sin 47°
𝐵𝐶
sin 60° sin 89°
𝑩𝑪 𝟏, 𝟎𝟏𝟔. 𝟎𝟏 𝒎