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Closed traverse ABCDA missing data, C(1200, 2000)

Short answer

Using ΣLat=0 and ΣDep=0, missing line DA length is 166.667 m, bearing 343°25'. Missing left deflections: A=113°25', D=26°35'. Coordinates from C: A (1674.875 N, 2008.005 E), B (1494.895 N, 1793.512 E), D (1515.138 N, 2055.567 E).

In a four legged closed traverse ABCDA, the following data were taken.

LegLength (m)Deflection angleBearingCo-ordinate
AB280.00?S 50°00'00" W?
BC360.0085°00'00" left??
CD320.00135°00'00" left?C (1200 mN, 2000 mE)
DA????

Find out the missing data and independent coordinates of all remaining station.

The deflection angles are to the left, so the traverse runs anticlockwise and bearing of a line = bearing of previous line − left deflection. For a closed traverse ΣLat=0\Sigma\text{Lat}=0 and ΣDep=0\Sigma\text{Dep}=0, which gives the length and bearing of the last line.

Step 1: Bearings of the known lines

  • AB: S50°00'00"W = 230°00'
  • BC: 230°00' − 85°00' = 145°00'
  • CD: 145°00' − 135°00' = 10°00'

Step 2: Latitudes and departures of the known lines

Lat=Lcos⁡θ,Dep=Lsin⁡θ\text{Lat}=L\cos\theta,\qquad \text{Dep}=L\sin\theta
LineL (m)BearingLatitudeDeparture
AB280.00230°00'-179.981-214.492
BC360.00145°00'-294.895+206.488
CD320.0010°00'+315.138+55.567
Sum-159.737+47.562

Step 3: Length and bearing of DA

For closure, the missing line must cancel the sums:

LatDA=−(−159.737)=+159.737 mDepDA=−(+47.562)=−47.562 mLDA=(+159.737)2+(−47.562)2=166.667 mtan⁡θ=−47.562+159.737 ⇒ θDA=343∘25′\begin{aligned} \text{Lat}_{DA}&=-(-159.737)=+159.737\ \text{m}\\ \text{Dep}_{DA}&=-(+47.562)=-47.562\ \text{m}\\ L_{DA}&=\sqrt{(+159.737)^2+(-47.562)^2}=166.667\ \text{m}\\ \tan\theta&=\frac{-47.562}{+159.737}\ \Rightarrow\ \theta_{DA}=343^\circ 25' \end{aligned}

(The signs of the latitude and departure put the line in the north-west quadrant.)

Step 4: Missing deflection angles

Left deflection at a station = bearing of previous line − bearing of next line (add 360° if the result is negative).

  • At A (DA to AB): 343°25' − 230°00' = 113°25'
  • At D (CD to DA): 10°00' − 343°25' + 360° = 26°35'

Check: sum of left deflections = 85°00' + 135°00' + 113°25' + 26°35' = 360°00' (anticlockwise traverse).

Step 5: Coordinates (C = 1200 mN, 2000 mE)

Independent coordinates = previous coordinates + latitude/departure of the line.

StationNorthing (m)Easting (m)
A1674.8752008.005
B1494.8951793.512
C1200.0002000.000
D1515.1382055.567

Check: B plus line BC gives (1200.000 N, 2000.000 E), which is the given point, so the traverse closes.

Summary of the table

LineLength (m)Deflection at start (left)Bearing (WCB)LatitudeDeparture
AB280.000113°25' (computed)230°00'-179.981-214.492
BC360.00085°00' (given)145°00'-294.895+206.488
CD320.000135°00' (given)10°00'+315.138+55.567
DA166.667 (computed)26°35' (computed)343°25' (computed)+159.737-47.562

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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