WPS Problems

This page shows Wisconsin Professional Surveyor Problem Corner challenges, select user-submitted solutions, and a running count of who submitted solutions.

Although many of these problems are more easily solved using computers, demonstration of mental rather than software dexterity is preferred. Software can be used for checks or repetitious calculations (eg, spreadsheet for iterative solutions) but the main calculations should be manual. And we all know the importance of math checks.

You can either scan your solution and email it to me at gmahun@matcmadison.edu or jmahun@yahoo.com or snail-mail to me at 567 Prestige Court, Edgerton, WI 53534.

A scoring scheme (see below) will be used to determine the annual top three solvers amongst all submitters.

To see a selected submitted solution click on the underlined name; ditto for the problem statement. You need a pdf viewer installed in your browser or Acrobat Reader on your computer.

Since the answer and submitters are announced in the following issue of the Wisconsin Professional Surveyor, deadline for submission will be when that issue goes to the publisher.

Scoring System

This is the scoring system for the 2010 round.

Manual comps included.

Manual comps with some computer

No comps - explanation only

Since the December issue of the Wisconsin Professional Surveyor comes out just before the Annual Institute and solutions start trickling in January, the annual total will be based on the Dec-Mar-Jun-Sep issues sequence. The annual winner will be announced in the following Dec issue.

Mar 09 - Curve Fit

June 09 - Traverse Error

Sep 09 - Maximum Latitude

The top three 2009 solvers and their awards are:

WSLS fleece pullover

Dec 09 - Well, Where Is It?

Correct coordinates with the right touch of incentive to make sure the crew doesn't have any more of these problems.

A math error threw off Norm's coordinates - oh, the worth of a math check...

Right logic, just not quite fully developed.

Even though he was suffering a bout of Blastomycosis (which caused him to miss the Institute in who knows how many years), Dave came up with the correct solution.

Mike was on the right track but since he did it meticulously by long hand it looks like he stopped just before he got to the right combination of distances.

March 2010 - Train of Thought

Correct answer with complete comps and a math check!

Long time reader, first time solver.

Correct answer with a detailed solution description and a math check.

Comps complete with stick people.

Correct solution and very nice explanation.

Correct answer. Based on his included short note, it looks like Mike did most of the reasoning mentally.

June 2010 - Fruit of the Vine

Al emailed a correct answer (complete with math check) before I even received my copy of the Wis Professional Surveyor.

According to Burt: "I solved this problem by getting a hold of a 10 gallon jug of wine and proceeding with a trial and error method. It took five or six attempts, but we sure had fun doing it!!"
Unfortunately, Burt was off a little but we admire his initiative.

Well developed rigorous solution with a math check.

Used the proven trial and error approach.

Set up a spreadsheet to get the solution. Brian wrote that "My little daughter distracted me, I should have sent this in yesterday afternoon." Children are a joy ... and a good excuse.

It took Norm a few times, but he eventually came up with the right answer. He was docked a few points for his earlier attempt(s).

Tony didn't get his June WPS in the mail until 6 Jul whereupon he promptly, and correctly, solved the problem. If this "competition" heats up, we're going to have to make allowances for US Mail speed.

Typical of Mike, nicely developed computations leading to a correct solution.

Last update: 15 Aug 2010