What does Simpson's Rule help calculate in surveying?

Simpson's Rule is an important numerical method used in surveying, particularly for estimating the area under curves or the total area of irregular shapes. It helps to calculate the integral of a function by approximating the area under a curve using parabolic segments. This method takes values of the function at equally spaced points and fits quadratic polynomials to the segments of these points, providing a more accurate approximation than simply connecting the points with straight lines.

In the context of surveying, accurately calculating areas is crucial for land assessment, resource allocation, and planning. Techniques like Simpson's Rule allow surveyors to derive the area from a set of discrete measurement points, which is frequently encountered in practical applications like computing land parcels or irregularly shaped plots.

The other options, while relevant to certain aspects of surveying, do not align directly with Simpson's Rule. The method for dividing land into parcels relates more to land use and legal boundaries rather than computational techniques. Similarly, measuring straight lines pertains to linear measurements and geometric principles, while determining elevation angles deals with vertical measurements and trigonometric calculations. Hence, the focus on numerical integration to calculate areas accurately reflects the main utility of Simpson's Rule in surveying contexts.