TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
Measurement of areas of irregularly shaped planar regions

Llorera, Jeshua B.
ME 5L/ BSME 4D

July 8, 2016

I. OBJECTIVES:

Familiarize students with the measurement of areas in the laboratory and

workshop.

Measure and tabulate the area of irregular shapes in various sizes using the
planimeter.

Determine the accuracy of measurements in terms of percent error and standard

deviation.

II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

The Planimeter:
The polar planimeter is a mechanical device for measuring areas of regions in the
plane which are bounded by smooth boundaries. The measurement is based directly
on Green's theorem in multi-variable calculus: the planimeter integrates a line
integral of a vector field which has constant curl. Planimeters are used in medicine
for example to measure the size of the cross-sections of tumors or organs, in biology
to measure the area of leaves or wing sizes of insects, in agriculture to measure the
area of forests, in engineering it is used to measure the size of profiles.
Types of Planimeters:
Polar and Linear Planimeters
The main working parts of polar and linear planimeters are the same. Each has
a rod, called the tracer arm, one end of which is the tracing point T, and a wheel
attached to the rod with its axis parallel to the rod. A scale attached to the wheel
records how much the wheel turns.
Polar Planimeter

Linear Planimeter
The two planimeters differ in the movement of the end of the tracer arm
opposite the tracer point. In the linear planimeter, that end is restricted to move
along a straight line. The drawing suggests that it runs along a track, but a
more common way to cause this motion is to have this end attached to a set of
wheels that are fixed to an axis so that the wheels turn together. In the polar
planimeter, the end opposite the tracer point is restricted to move
along a circle. This is done by making that point the hinge
between the tracer arm and a secondary arm, one
end of which (the pole) is fixed.
The original polar planimeter was
invented in 1854 by Jacob Amsler, a
Swiss mathematician and inventor of many measuring instruments. It was so much
simpler, easier to use, and more accurate than previously invented planimeters that the
latter quickly became obsolete. Further modifications of his basic design were made
only to improve its accuracy. The linear planimeter works on the same basic principle
as the polar planimeter, and is simply a variation that allows the areas of long, skinny
regions to be measured.
Here are some pictures of a Keuffel & Esser polar planimeter I have (model 620015).
This was made by the German company Haff in about 1970.

The picture on the left shows the planimeter ready to measure the area of a region. On
the right is a disassembled view. The tracer point is equipped with a magnifying glass
to make it easier follow the curve. The box at the left end of the tracer arm is a carriage
containing the wheel and the counter with its scale. The wheel rests lightly on the paper
and can roll when the tracer point is moved. The pole is at the top and is held in place
by a weighted block that allows the pole arm to pivot.

The axis of the wheel is easily seen on the underside of the carriage. The wheel itself
(indicated by the pointer) is a steel disk attached directly to the cylinder with the scale.
The plastic wheel on the same axis that is visible in both pictures is slightly smaller than
the steel one and does not contact the paper. It is used to set the scale to zero.

Methods of use
Set up the planimeter so that the tracing arm and lens are
towards you. Attach the pole arm to the roller housing and to
the pole plate. The pole arm should be approximately at
right angles to the tracing arm, with the pole on the right
(Fig.1).

First move the zero setting wheel and watch the scale and
the dial. Stop as soon as the 0 on the dial is covered by the
indi-cator and the 0 on the scale is opposite the 0 on the
vernier. The instrument is now in its zero position (Fig. 2).
Now move the tracing lens very slightly to the right and stop
before the 0 on the vernier has reached the first of the
calibra-tions on the scale. If now, for example the 4th calibration on the vernier matches
a calibration on the scale, then the scale has moved four Vernier Units (VU) towards the
first calibration (Fig. 3).
Next move the tracing lens a little further to the right until the 0 on the vernier is opposite
the first calibration on the scale. The scale has now moved 10 vernier units (10 VU) or
one
fig. 1, 2, 3
calibration (Fig. 4).

If the scale rotates until the 1 on it is opposite the 0 on

the ver-nier, it has then turned through 100 vernier units
(100 VU) or ten calibrations (Fig. 5).
When the scale has made a complete rotation (passing
all the figures from 1 to 9) and has returned to 0, it has
turned through 1000 vernier units (1000 VU) or 100
calibrations. The dial now indicates 1 instead of 0 (Fig.
6). Each of the ten figu-res on the dial corresponds to a
complete revolution of the scale 1000 VU.
To count the total number of units, we read the
thousands on the dial, the hundreds and tens on the
scale, and the units on the vernier.
A final example should make the method of reading
quite clear. In Fig. 7 the dial is between 3 and 4, so the
answer is between 3000 and 4000 VU, the scale has a
reading between 47 and 48, so the answer is between
3470 and 3480 VU and the fourth calibration on the
vernier corresponds with a cali-bration on the scale,
giving an answer of 3474 VU.
This is the sequence of observations which must be
made whenever a planimeter reading is taken, and each
of the four figures must be checked carefully. With a little
practice the rea-dings can be taken quickly and without
error.
fig 4, 5, 6, 7
The value of the vernier unit (VU)
The HAFF Planimeter No. 317 has a fixed tracing arm which is set so that the value of
the vernier unit is always 0.1 sq.cm.
Number of VU
One vernier unit
(VU)
=1
One calibration
on the scale
= 10
Distance
between the
numbers
on the scale
= 100

sq.cm
0.1
sq.cm
1.0
sq.cm

10.0

sq.cm
One revolution of
the scale or one
calibration on the
100.0
dial
= 1000 sq.cm
One revolution
10,00 1000.0
on the dial
=0
sq.cm
The HAFF Planimeters No. 313 and 315 have adjustable tra-cing arms, the length of
which can be varied to select the most useful vernier unit value shown in Table III and IV
(page 15).
Measuring with
"Pole plate outside the figure" (usual) For these working areas:

The pole plate may be set down in any position outside the figure which allows the
tracing lens to be guided round the entire outline. In the case of larger figures consult
Section E2. The length of the pole arm has no effect on the measurement when the pole
plate is set down outside the figure.

fig 8
Tracing an area

Fig. 9

Before tracing an area the tracing lens may be set down in the
middle of the area. The pole arm should be approxima-tely at right
angles to the tracing arm. Mark the starting point (which will also be
the finishing point) with a line at right angles to the outline (Fig. 8).
Position the small centre ring of the tracing lens (which should be
held in the right hand) exactly over the starting point (Fig. 9). At the
same time, with the left hand, turn the zero setting wheel until the
dial and the scale both return to zero (Fig. 10).

Holding the tracing lens as shown in Fig. 9, trace the outli-ne in a clockwise direction with the
small centre ring. Keep looking in the direction in which the lens is to travel and try to keep the
line inside the ring.
It is impossible to hold the small ring exactly over the cen-tre of the line all the time, so
compensate for errors caused by going off the line to one side by going off an equal amount in
the opposite direction. Extensive trials show that these errors do balance out.
When the outline has been traced and the small ring has returned to the starting point, the
reading is taken. Let us assume that the reading is 4175 Vernier Units (VU).
Fig. 10
The figure 4175 is the number of vernier units in the area. If the HAFF Planimeter No. 317 is
being used, the value of the Vernier Units is 0.1 sq.cm and the area is 4175 x 0.1sq. cm. If the
HAFF Planimeter No. 313 or 315 is being used, the value of the vernier unit and therefore the
area, will depend upon the setting of the tracing arm. To find this set-ting, consult the table in the
case and Table III or IV page 15.
It is good practice to retrace the perimeter in order to check the accuracy of the measurement.
The accuracy can be increased by taking the average of several readings see Section D on
the subject of accuracy.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND MATERIALS:

Irregular shape plane areas
Planimeter
IV. METHODS AND PROCEDURES:
1. Chose 10 standards and regularly shaped of planer section of various sizes.
2. Measures each areas 5 times using the planimeter.
3. Calculate the average of the five measurements.
4. Calculate for the percent error in the case of each area.
5. Determine the standard deviation of the measurements.
6. Tabulate the measurements/observations and results of calculation.
7. Discuss the observations and other results.

V. OBSERVATIONS:
While doing the experiment I saw many errors and considerations in conducting
our experiment example of this errors are how the way we do the stripping for the
irregular shapes the width of the strips determines the accuracy of the computed
area. Also we should have a well knowledge in different formulas of shapes.

VI. DATA AND RESULTS:

Units are in cm and units for trial are in cm2
shape
Rectangle
with
semicircle
actual=
25.311
triangle with
semicircle
Actual=
9.384
Irregular
shape no. 1
Actual=68.
075
Irregular
shape no. 2
Actual=54.
525

Trial 1

Trial
2

Trial
3

Trial
4

Trial
5

Trial
6

Trial
7

Trial
8

Ave

25.4
cm2

25.7
cm2

25.6
cm2

25.7
cm2

25.6
cm2

25.6
cm2

25.5
cm2

25.7
cm2

25.6
cm2

9.2cm2 9.3
cm2

9.2
cm2

9.2
cm2

9.4
cm2

9.3
cm2

9.3
cm2

9.4
cm2

9.288
cm2

68.2
cm2

68.1
cm2

68
cm2

67.9
cm2

68
cm2

68
cm2

67.9
cm2

68.1
cm2

68.02
5
cm2

54.3
cm2

55.3
cm2

55.1
cm2

55.6
cm2

54.3
cm2

54.1
cm2

54.5
cm2

54.7
cm2

54.73
8
cm2

Computation of area

Irregular shape no. 2

For Rectangle with semicircle:

A= w(0.5yo+y1.+yn-1+0.5yn)
=0.5((0.5)0.8(1.6)+4.1+6.1+7.5+8.2+8+7
.9+8.6+7.9+8.6+9+8.3+7.7+6.4+5.8+4.6
+4.6+3.9+1.3+2.1+2.6+2.8+2.5(0.5)
A=54.525 cm2

Atotal = Arec + Asc =(4.3X3.3)+

((5.4)2/2)/4)
=13.86 cm2 + 11.451cm2
=25.311 cm2
For Triangle with semicircle:
2

Atotal = AT + Asc =(3x3.9)/2 + ((3) /2)/4)

=5.85cm2 + 3.534cm2
=9.384 cm2
For Irregular shape no. 1:
A= w(0.5yo+y1.+yn-1+0.5yn)
=0.5(0.5(2.50)+3.7+4.5+5.2+5.6+5.8+5.
8+5.8+5.9+6.3+7.2+8+7.9+7.7+7.4+7.2
+6.9+6.6+6.2+5.6+4.9+3.9+2(0.5))
A=68.075 cm2

Computation of percentage error

Rectangle with semicircle
25.31125.6
X 100 =1.141
25.311
Triangle with semicircle
9.3849.288
X 100 =1.023
9.484

Irregular shape no. 1

68.07568.025
X 100 =0.0 7 3
68.075

Trial 2 (25.7-25.6)2 = 0.01

Trial 3 (25.6-25.6)2 = 0.
Trial 4 (25.7-25.6)2 = 0.01
Trial 5 (25.6-25.6)2 = 0
Trial 6 (25.6-25.6)2 = 0
Trial 7 (25.5-25.6)2 = 0.01
Trial 8 (25.7-25.6)2 = 0.01
8

Computation for standard deviation

For Rectangle with semicircle: = 25.6

Trial 1 (25.4-25.6)2 = 0.04

( Xi)

k=1

= 0.08

1/8 (0.08) =0.01

0.01 = 0.1answer

For triangle with semicircle: = 9.288

For Irregular shape no. 1: = 68.025

Trial 1 (9.2-9.288)2 = 7.84x10-4

Trial 1 (68.2-68.025)2 = 0.031

Trial 2 (9.3-9.288)2 = 5.184x10-3

Trial 2 (68.1-68.025)2 = 5.625x10-3

Trial 3 (9.2-9.288)2 = 7.84x10-4

Trial 3 (68-68.025)2 = 6.25x10-4

Trial 4 (9.2-9.288)2 = 7.84x10-4

Trial 4 (67.9-68.025)2 = 0.016

Trial 5 (9.4-9.288)2 = 0.030

Trial 5 (68-68.025)2 = 6.25x10-4

Trial 6 (9.3-9.288)2 = 5.184x10-3

Trial 6 (68.4-68.025)2 = 0.141

Trial 7 (9.3-9.288)2 = 5.184x10-3

Trial 7 (67.9.1-68.025)2 = 0.016

Trial 8 (9.4-9.288)2 = 0.030

Trial 8 (68.1-68.025)2 = 5.625x10-3

8

( Xi)
k=1

= 0.78

1/8 (0.78) =0.098

0.098 = 0.313 Answer

( Xi)
k=1

= 0.217

1/8 (0.217) =0.027

0.027 = 0.164 Answer

For Irregular shape no. 2: = 54.738

Trial 1 (54.3-54.738)2 = 0.192

Trial 2 (55.3-54.738)2 = 0.315

Trial 6 (54.1-54.738)2 = 0.407

Trial 3 (55.1-54.738)2 = 0.131

Trial 7 (54.5-54.738)2 = 0.057

Trial 4 (55.6-54.738)2 = 0.743

Trial 8 (54.7-54.738)2 = 1.444x10-3

Trial 5 (54.3-54.738)2 = 0.192

( Xi)
k=1

= 2.038

1/8 (2.038) =0.255

0.255 = 0.505 answer

VII.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS:

The accuracy of our experiments depends on two factors one is the environmental
factor and the other is human error.

Environmental factor
The working area can affect the accuracy of the experimental value. If the
surface is not leveled the roller in the planimeter. Also if the testing subject is not
in good conditions the result will be wrong.

Human error
Some people obtain better results than others. A good eye, a steady hand and
patience when tracing the outline are most important for good results. Good light
and a comfortable working position also play a decisive role.

Recommendation
To have precise results in conducting the experiment we should consider the
environment and the human error that will occur in the experiment to lessen the
discrepancy. Also we should consider the condition of the test subject to have a
proper evaluation in conducting the experiment.