Esri ArcGIS Pro Foundation Certification Practice Test

At which scale do discrepancies in spheroids typically become apparent?

1. 1:150,000,000

2. 1:5,000

3. 1:50,000

4. 1:5,000,000

The correct answer is: 1:5,000,000

The visibility of discrepancies in spheroids, which are mathematical representations of the Earth's shape used for mapping and geospatial analysis, tends to become apparent at larger scales. A larger scale, such as 1:5,000,000, means that the map covers a vast geographic area, which can encapsulate variations in the Earth’s surface and distortions caused by the projection process. At this scale, the differences between the theoretical spheroidal model and the actual surface of the Earth can lead to noticeable inaccuracies. In contrast, at smaller scales such as 1:5,000 or 1:50,000, the discrepancies are less likely to be evident because the map is representing a smaller area, where the effects of the spheroid are minimized, and the details work together in a way that can mask slight differences. Thus, when working at a larger scale, such as 1:5,000,000, users are more likely to encounter the limitations of the spheroidal assumptions made in mapping.