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Multiple Choice

Contours generated from a grid pattern are closer to reality if they have what characteristic?

Sampling density drives how accurately contours reflect the real terrain. Contours come from interpolating elevations between grid points, so how densely those points cover the area matters. A higher resolution grid uses smaller cells and more elevation data per area, allowing the interpolation to capture steeper changes and smaller features that a coarser grid would smooth over. That results in contour lines that follow the true surface more closely and reduce blocky, generalized shapes. Elevation values themselves don’t change with resolution; it’s the amount of data sampling that improves fidelity. So, higher resolution yields contours that are closer to reality.

Sampling density drives how accurately contours reflect the real terrain. Contours come from interpolating elevations between grid points, so how densely those points cover the area matters. A higher resolution grid uses smaller cells and more elevation data per area, allowing the interpolation to capture steeper changes and smaller features that a coarser grid would smooth over. That results in contour lines that follow the true surface more closely and reduce blocky, generalized shapes. Elevation values themselves don’t change with resolution; it’s the amount of data sampling that improves fidelity. So, higher resolution yields contours that are closer to reality.