What type of legal description is represented by 1/4 NW of 1/2 NE of 1/4 NW?

The description "1/4 NW of 1/2 NE of 1/4 NW" is indicative of a legal description that utilizes a systematic method of dividing land based on a grid established by the government. This approach is known as the Government Survey, which is part of the rectangular survey system commonly used in the United States.

In this system, land is divided into townships and sections, and then further subdivided into quarters. It relies on principal meridians and base lines to define locations. The use of fractional designations like "1/4", "1/2", and directional indicators such as "NW" (northwest) demonstrates the structured nature of the Government Survey method. Each segment of the description refers to specific divisions of property consistent with this survey system.

Other types of legal descriptions, such as Metes and Bounds or Lot and Block, would use different terminologies and systems. Metes and Bounds typically rely on natural landmarks and measurements, while Lot and Block refers to properties as they are laid out in an official plat map. The Rectangular Survey is synonymous with Government Survey, but it's broader in context, while the specific choices given steer the student toward recognizing the Government Survey system as the correct answer here.