A California section contains 640 acres. How many acres are contained in the W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of a standard section, and what is the correct method for calculating this under the government rectangular survey system?
Correct Answer
C) 80 acres — divide 640 by 4 to get the quarter section, then divide by 2 to get the half of that quarter
Under the government rectangular survey system, a standard section contains 640 acres. The NW 1/4 equals 640 ÷ 4 = 160 acres. The W 1/2 of that quarter equals 160 ÷ 2 = 80 acres. Each fraction in a government survey description is applied sequentially to the result of the prior division, not to the full section. This 80-acre parcel is a standard aliquot part recognized in California survey descriptions.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
Police power is the government's authority to enact laws and regulations to protect the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. It is the broadest power government has over private property.
Restrictive covenants, also known as CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), are private agreements written into deeds or HOA documents that limit how property can be used. They are enforced by property owners, not the government.
Setback requirements are zoning regulations that specify the minimum distance a building or structure must be set back from property lines, streets, or other boundaries. They ensure adequate light, air, and space between structures.
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