Dr. Rubén G. Mendoza, PhD

Staking a Unit

Directions: In order to accurately and efficiently layout an excavation unit in conformity with the sitegrid, you should do so with the formula for calculating the length of a right triangle or hypotenuse. The Pythagorean Theorem provides the solution, and is construed as follows:

a² + b² = c²

c = √a² + b²

The hypotenuse is that portion of the right triangle that connects c1 and c2, and thereby forms the right triangle measure, as noted in the diagram below:

Here the hypotenuse is concerned, “if one of the other sides has a length of 3 meters (when squared, 9 m²) and the other has a length of 4 m (when squared, 16 m²). Their squares add up to 25 m². The length of the hypotenuse is the square root of this, or 5 m.” Cited from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypotenuse

Unit Measures: The following constitute the measurements of the hypotenuse for varying grid sizes and
dimensions.

1 m x 1 m = 1.437 m
1 m x 2 m = 2.236 m
1 m x 3 m = 3.162 m
2 m x 2 m = 2.828 m

Note: You are to use the measurements noted to obtain the hypotenuse for the right triangle measure of
your specific excavation unit prior to staking and stringing the unit.