Esri ArcGIS Pro Foundation Certification Practice Test

You are using the Erase method to adjust a city limit polygon feature class for an area being annexed by an adjacent city. How will the city limit feature class be modified?

1. The area will be removed from the polygon.

2. A new feature will be created.

3. No changes will be made.

4. The area will be merged with the polygon.

The correct answer is: The area will be removed from the polygon.

When using the Erase method in geographic information systems such as ArcGIS Pro, the primary function is to remove portions of one feature that overlap with another. In this scenario, applying the Erase method to the city limit polygon feature class, specifically in relation to an adjacent city's annexation, will result in the area being annexed being subtracted from the existing polygon. Therefore, the city limit feature class will be modified by having the portion of the polygon that intersects with the annexed area removed, effectively reflecting the updated limits of the city's boundaries as the annexation occurs. This method emphasizes the idea of "erasing" overlapping features, which aligns perfectly with the objective of adjusting the city limits to accurately represent the new geographical and administrative realities.