What type of positioning system describes each position taken from the one prior?

The choice of incremental positioning is correct because this type of system defines each new position in relation to the last position taken. In incremental positioning, the movement is based on a specific distance or angle that is added to the previous location. This means the machine doesn't reference a fixed origin point, but rather uses the last known position as the starting point for any subsequent movements. This method allows for precise control over the positioning, particularly in manufacturing and CNC machining applications, where it is often necessary to make adjustments based on prior locations to achieve the desired outcome.

While relative positioning systems also deal with the concept of positions depending on previous ones, they often involve a more abstract or varied reference that can lead to confusion in certain scenarios. Incremental positioning, on the other hand, consistently builds upon the last known position, making it a straightforward approach in the context of manufacturing and assembly processes.