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Math 120

Trigonometry for Surveying 

Proposed course description:

Application of trigonometry to surveying.  Topics included are solving right triangles to find angle measures  and lengths of sides; specifying directions, e.g., finding bearings and azimuths to plot surveys; converting between bearings and azimuths; computing precision; using Law of Sine and Law of Cosine to find the measures of angles and lengths of sides of oblique triangles;  computing areas of triangles and other polygonal regions using geometric and trigonometric formulas, computing, correcting and balancing latitude and departure, computing error of closure, and finding the coordinates of the survey.

Prerequisites, or required preparation:

Math 25X or Math 26 with C or better or placement in Math 120 

Corequisites:

None

Recommended preparation: 

Specific course objectives:

Students will be able to:

• Define the trigonometric functions, reciprocal relations, and co-functions.

• Solve right triangles (solve for angle and lengths of side measure) using a calculator or trigonometric tables to plot the survey.

• Specify directions in running a traverse, utilizing bearings and azimuths, converting between bearings and azimuths.

• Calculate radian and degree measure of any angle and convert between radian and degree measure.

• Calculate lengths of arcs and areas of sectors.

• Understand coordinate systems to plot maps, locate inaccessible points, and compute areas and lengths and directions of lines.

• Solve unique triangles utilizing Law of Sine and Law of Cosine to calculate lengths of sides and angle measures in running a traverse.

• Solve trigonometric equations, involving quotient relations, Pythagorean relations, and reciprocal relations.

• Compute latitude and departure, error of closure, precision, correction to and balancing latitude and departure.

• Calculate lengths and bearings and compute corrections.

• Calculate the area of any type of polygonal region.

Course Content:

Including approximate time to be spent on each topic.

Reference materials:

Parker, Harry., MacGuire, John W., and Ambrose, James: Simplified Site Engineering, Second Edition.

Mekeagues, Charles P., Trigonometry, Third Edition

Handouts on trigonometry, engineering and/or forest surveying.

Evaluation:

Evaluation will be calculated utilizing an average of homework assignments and/or quizzes, exams, including a comprehensive final exam, based on a grading scale of:

Methods of Instruction:

Classroom lectures supplemented by homework exercises and group work.

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