Skip to content
Geodetic Engineering (GE)

Mathematics

"Future Geodetic Engineer! Mathematics - ang foundation ng lahat ng surveying at mapping calculations. Mastering trigonometry, calculus, at statistics para sa accurate measurements!"

1. Plane Trigonometry 📐

Essential for all angle and distance calculations in surveying.

Basic Trig Ratios

sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse

cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse

tan θ = opposite/adjacent

Mnemonic: SOH-CAH-TOA!

Reciprocal Functions

csc θ = 1/sin θ

sec θ = 1/cos θ

cot θ = 1/tan θ

Law of Sines & Cosines

a/sin A = b/sin B = c/sin C (Law of Sines)

c² = a² + b² - 2ab·cos C (Law of Cosines)

Used for: solving oblique triangles in traverse computation, bearing calculations

2. Spherical Trigonometry 🌐

Essential for geodetic surveying - calculating on Earth's curved surface!

Formula Application
cos a = cos b·cos c + sin b·sin c·cos A Law of Cosines for Sides
cos A = -cos B·cos C + sin B·sin C·cos a Law of Cosines for Angles
sin a/sin A = sin b/sin B = sin c/sin C Law of Sines (Spherical)
Spherical Excess = A + B + C - 180° Area calculation of spherical triangle

3. Differential & Integral Calculus 📊

Derivatives (Rate of Change)

  • d/dx (xⁿ) = nxⁿ⁻¹ (Power Rule)
  • d/dx (sin x) = cos x
  • d/dx (cos x) = -sin x
  • d/dx (eˣ) = eˣ
  • d/dx (ln x) = 1/x

Application: Finding slope of curves, rate of change in leveling

Integration (Area & Volume)

  • ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n+1) + C
  • ∫sin x dx = -cos x + C
  • ∫cos x dx = sin x + C
  • ∫eˣ dx = eˣ + C

Application: Computing areas from cross-sections, earthwork volumes

4. Statistics & Probability 📈

Error analysis and quality control in surveying measurements.

Measures of Central Tendency

  • Mean (x̄) = Σx/n
  • Median = Middle value
  • Mode = Most frequent value
  • Weighted Mean = Σ(wx)/Σw

Measures of Dispersion

  • Variance (σ²) = Σ(x-x̄)²/n
  • Standard Deviation (σ) = √Variance
  • Standard Error = σ/√n
  • Probable Error = 0.6745σ

Error Propagation in Surveying

For sum/difference: σ_total = √(σ₁² + σ₂² + σ₃²...)

For product: σ_relative = √((σ₁/x₁)² + (σ₂/x₂)²...)

5. Practice Problems 📚

Common Board Exam Problems

Q1: A surveyor measures distances of 150m and 200m at an included angle of 60°. What is the third side?

A: Using Law of Cosines: c² = 150² + 200² - 2(150)(200)cos60° = 22500 + 40000 - 30000 = 32500. c = 180.28m

Q2: The probable error of a single measurement is ±0.02m. What is the probable error of the mean of 16 measurements?

A: PE_mean = PE_single/√n = 0.02/√16 = 0.02/4 = ±0.005m

Q3: Convert 45°30'15" to decimal degrees.

A: 45 + 30/60 + 15/3600 = 45 + 0.5 + 0.00417 = 45.50417°

🔥 GE Challenge 🔥

Master the math behind precise measurements! Trigonometry, calculus, statistics - tools for accurate surveying!

Precision in math = Precision in the field!

Test Your Knowledge! 🧠

Ready ka na ba? Take the practice quiz for Mathematics to reinforce what you just learned.

Start Practice Quiz 📝

📚 More from Geodetic Engineering (GE)