Which description correctly identifies the Polyconic projection?

• A. Parallels are straight lines
• B. Parallels are arcs of circles whose radii equal the tangent distance to an axis intersection
• C. All meridians are curved
• D. It preserves area perfectly

Answer: (B)

In the Polyconic projection, each parallel is drawn as a circular arc rather than a straight line. The radius of each of these arcs is determined by the tangent distance from the parallel to the projection’s axis intersection, so parallels become arcs with radii tied to how far that latitude is from the axis where the tangent would touch. This specific arrangement—parallels appearing as circles with radii equal to that tangent distance to an axis intersection—is the defining feature of the Polyconic.

Parallels as straight lines would correspond to a cylindrical type projection, which Polyconic is not. The projection is neither equal-area nor perfectly preserving any single property, so describing it as preserving area perfectly would be incorrect.