In the rectangular (government) survey system, how many acres are contained in one section?
Correct Answer
C) 640 acres
One section in the rectangular survey system contains exactly 640 acres, which is one square mile. This is a fundamental unit of measurement in the government survey system.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
One section equals exactly 640 acres because it represents one square mile of land area. Since there are 640 acres in a square mile by definition, and each section in the rectangular survey system is precisely one square mile, the calculation is straightforward: 1 section = 1 square mile = 640 acres. This is a standardized measurement that has been consistent since the establishment of the government survey system in the late 1700s.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 160 acres
160 acres represents a quarter section, not a full section. This is the amount of land in one-fourth of a section when a section is divided into four equal parts.
Option B: 320 acres
320 acres represents a half section, which would be one-half of a full section. This occurs when a section is divided into two equal parts.
Option D: 1,280 acres
1,280 acres would represent two full sections combined, which is twice the size of a single section. This amount of land would span two square miles.
Six-Forty Section Rule
Remember 'SIX-FORTY' - SIX sides to a square section, FORTY times sixteen equals 640. Or use the phrase 'Six hundred FORTY acres make a Section Square'
How to use: When you see any question about section size in the government survey system, immediately think 'Six-Forty' and recall that one section always equals 640 acres, which is one square mile
Exam Tip
If you forget the exact number, remember that a township has 36 sections and covers 36 square miles, so each section must be exactly 1 square mile, and there are always 640 acres in a square mile
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Confusing section size with quarter-section size (160 acres)
- -Mixing up township size (36 square miles) with section size
- -Forgetting that sections are always exactly one square mile regardless of terrain
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests knowledge of the rectangular (government) survey system, which is the primary land description method used in most of the United States. The system divides land into a grid pattern starting with townships that are 6 miles by 6 miles, which are then subdivided into 36 sections of one square mile each. Understanding the acreage contained in each section is fundamental to property descriptions and area calculations in real estate appraisal. This measurement system forms the basis for legal descriptions and property boundary determinations across much of the country.
Background Knowledge
The rectangular survey system was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to create a standardized method for describing and dividing public lands. The system creates a grid where townships are 6 miles by 6 miles and contain 36 sections, with each section being exactly one square mile or 640 acres.
Real-World Application
When appraising rural properties, appraisers frequently encounter legal descriptions that reference sections, such as 'the NE 1/4 of Section 12' which would be 160 acres, or 'the S 1/2 of Section 25' which would be 320 acres, making the 640-acre section size essential for area calculations
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