Fri, 08 May 2026 23:27:37 +0000

A cartographer is creating a digital elevation model where each data point is spaced 5 meters apart in a grid. The region of interest is 15 km long and 6 km wide. How many data points are collected, including all edges of the region? As digital elevation models become more precise and widespread in applications from urban planning to environmental monitoring, the method behind spacing data points deserves closer examination. This cartographic technique reshapes how terrain is captured—when grid lines meet every 5 meters across large areas, the resulting dataset reflects both technical rigor and real-world relevance. Understanding how many points form such a model isn’t purely academic; it influences accuracy, cost, and use case readiness across public and private sectors in the United States. How many points are actually collected, including all edges? The region spans 15 kilometers—15,000 meters—along its length—and 6 kilometers—6,000 meters—across its width. With data spaced every 5 meters, each dimension expands by adding an additional point at the endpoint. So, for the 15-km length: 15,000 ÷ 5 = 3,000 intervals, plus 1 to include the starting point gives 3,001 data points. Similarly, the 6-km width yields 6,000 ÷ 5 = 1,200 intervals, plus 1 = 1,201 points. The full grid forms a rectangular array: 3,001 points by 1,201 points.