If the sweep width is 1 mile, how far does the search extend on each side of the center line?

If the sweep width is 1 mile, how far does the search extend on each side of the center line?

• A. 1/4 mile
• B. 1/2 mile
• C. 1 mile
• D. 2 miles

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that sweep width is the total width covered in one pass, centered on your center line. So the distance from the center line to either edge is half of that width. If the sweep width is 1 mile, you extend 1/2 mile on each side of the center line (0.5 miles to the left and 0.5 miles to the right), giving a total swath of 1 mile. (That’s 0.5 miles = about 2,640 feet on each side.)

The main idea is that sweep width is the total width covered in one pass, centered on your center line. So the distance from the center line to either edge is half of that width. If the sweep width is 1 mile, you extend 1/2 mile on each side of the center line (0.5 miles to the left and 0.5 miles to the right), giving a total swath of 1 mile. (That’s 0.5 miles = about 2,640 feet on each side.)