Missing Course of a Traverse

lat_{m} = - \sum lat_{i} dep_{m} = - \sum dep_{i}

If one course is missing (length and azimuth unknown), its lat and dep close the traverse: they equal the negative sums of the known courses. Then length = √(lat²+dep²) and azimuth from atan2(dep, lat).

$lat_{m}$: Missing latitude
$dep_{m}$: Missing departure

Step-by-step solved example

Known courses: Σlat=+12.0 m, Σdep=−5.0 m. Missing length and quadrant?

Missing lat/dep close the traverse polygon.

1. Close
lat_m=−12, dep_m=+5.
2. Length
L=√(144+25)=13.0 m. South and east (S E).

Answer: 13.0 m, SE quadrant

10 practice questions

0/10 correct

1.The missing lat is

2.Length of the missing side is

3.Azimuth from lat, dep uses

4.Two missing quantities (e.g. one length and one azimuth on different sides) need

5.If three independent quantities are missing

6.A due-north missing course has dep_m=

7.Precision of a closed traverse is

8.Error of closure Ec=

9.Bearings vs azimuths: 180° azimuth is

10.Units: lat, dep in ft → length in