Investigating Parallax and Triangulation Lab Report

Science 9
Mira Mak
July 31, 2016.

Purpose: something that one sets out for oneself as an objective; the aim of the
experiment; may be stated as a question
Question: Can triangulation, an indirect method of measurement, be used to
accurately measure distances?
Hypothesis: Using triangulation, an object from a farther distance could be measured
and deduced indirectly, using trigonometry (angles of triangle).
Materials:
1. Protractor
2. Ruler
3. Tape measure
4. Table or desk
5. Paper
6. Pencil
7. Masking tape
Procedure:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

estimated distance to C
angle A
angle B
scale used in diagram
distance on drawing from baseline to point C
calculated distance to point C
actual distance to point C

Step 1. Clear off the table. Place an object (lead refill case) at one end of the table as
shown below. Using one piece of masking tape, label your object C.

Step 2. From the end of the desk opposite the object, estimate the distance to the
object. Record your estimate.
The estimated distance is 85cm.
Step 3. On the end of the desk opposite the object, use the masking tape and pencil
to mark two lines, one at each corner of the table. These lines should be as close as
possible to 90o from the table edge. Mark one corner A, and the other corner B
(shown below).

Step 4. Using your tape measure, measure the distance between the lines at point A
and point B. Record your measurement. This line is your baseline.

Baseline = 70cm
Step 5. Place your protractor on point A. The centre point must line up with the
intersection point of the line you drew and the table edge. Measure the angle to point
C (you may have to bend down so you are at eye level with the desk). Record this
angle.

Angle at Point A is 75 degrees

Step 6. Place your protractor on point B. The centre point must line up with the
intersection point of the line you drew and the table edge. Measure the angle to point
C (you may have to bend down so you are at eye level with the desk). Record this
angle.

Angle at Point B is 65 degrees

Step 7. On a piece of paper, create a scale drawing of your set-up. Use an
appropriate scale, and record this scale on the drawing. Start the diagram with the
baseline. Be sure to label points A and B. Accurately draw in the angles A and B.
Extend the lines from angles A and B until they meet. Label this meeting point, point
C.
Step 8. From point C on your drawing, draw a line that meets the baseline at a 90 o
angle. To do this, use the protractor and a ruler. Set up the protractor at 90 o to the
baseline, then put the ruler against it, and slide it left or right until point C is met. Mark
this point on the baseline. Measure this line and record your measurement. Use the
scale to determine the calculated distance to the object at point C. Record the
calculated distance.

The calculated distance to the object at point C is about 76cm.

Step 9. Using your tape measure or metre stick, measure the actual distance from
the baseline to the object at point C on the table. Record this measurement.
Actual Distance = 79cm

Questions
1.

Explain why the method of triangulation is called an indirect method of

measurement.
It is called "indirect" method because the distance is not directly
measured by ruler, and is calculated.

2.

In step 2, you estimated the distance to the object. How accurate was your
estimate? Explain.
I have estimated to about 3cm more than the actual distance.

3.

In step 9, you used direct measurement to measure the actual distance to the
object at point C. Using the following formula, calculate the percentage of error
in your measurements:
% error = {(calculated distance actual distance)/(actual distance)} x 100%
% error = {(76 79)/(79)} x 100% = 3.8%

4.

What conclusions can you draw from the results of this investigation?
The calculated distance is actually more accurate than my estimation on
visual guess. The calculated distance is more reliable.

5.

One possible source of error in this experiment is the accurate measurement

of the baseline. If an error is made in this measurement, it will create error in
the other measurements and calculations.
Identify two more possible sources of error in your investigation.
Two other possible error sources are:
1) the angle measured by the protractor at point A and point B
2) the right angle drawn to the baseline line is not 100% perpendicular

6.

How carefully did you measure the angles A and B?

Explain how the accuracy of these measurements might
affect the calculated distance to the object at point C.
I have used a thread to connect point C to A and
point C to B. This way, the angles can be more
visually seen on the protractor.

7.

What are two things you could have changed in the procedure to improve the
accuracy of the results? Explain how each of these changes would improve the
accuracy of the measurements.
1) pull a thread from point C to Point A and B for angle measurement
2) also measure a right angle from point C to the baseline and make sure
it is perpendicular.

Conclusions:
In this lab, I have learned the indirect measurement of an object, usually far away. I
have demonstrated the procedures of using triangulation method.
The purpose of the lab has been reached and it showed that this indirect
measurement method is quite accurate, if each step was precise enough. I think the
result is quite accurate and acceptable.
This method is quite useful in daily life, especially when calculating things from far
away. Observations from this experiment could imply some accurate measurement
of things far far away. It is a very useful way of indirect measurement.