Which survey allows computations as if on a plane while accommodating larger areas?

The correct answer is zoned surveys, as they are designed to accommodate larger areas while allowing for computations on a plane. Zoned surveys break larger areas into smaller, manageable units or zones, allowing for more accurate calculations while still treating the zones as flat surfaces. This method provides flexibility in handling diverse terrains and various features within those areas.

In contrast, triangulation mainly focuses on forming triangles to establish control points over larger expanses, but it does not necessarily organize the data into zones. The stadia survey is primarily used for distance measurement through a leveling instrument based on the stadia rod, which focuses more on point-to-point measurement than on covering large areas with the same efficiency as zoned surveys. A plane table survey utilizes a plane table for sketching and taking measurements in a limited area, making it less suitable for extensive areas compared to zoned surveys.