A CHANCE CORRECTION OF A TRAVERSE

Abstract

It sometimes happens that from a point on a line of theodolite traverse two fixed points are visible. In the absence of a visit to at least one of these points, B or C, or a precise knowledge of a bearing, it is not possible to fix absolutely the station, say A, of the traverse. Nevertheless, the fact remains that if the angle subtended by the fixed points is measured and found to be α, say, the station A must lie on an arc of a circle through BC “capable of” this angle α. Is there any assumption which is justifiable under these circumstances?