Significant digits address the issue of uncertainty in measurements. When carrying out mathematical exercises, the term with the least number of significant digits will determine how many “ sig figs “ the answer must contain. A quick summary of the rules regarding significant figures follows: All non-zero digits are significant. All digits between non-zero digitsContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Significant Figures”
Category Archives: Mathematics
MATHEMATICS: A Review of Binary Mathematics and the Hexadecimal Counting System:
Write the numbers 8, 4, 2, and 1 in descending order. Binary numbers are formed by choosing numbers from this sequence and adding them together to form a number that is desired. The number 1 is used to choose numbers out of the ( 8, 4, 2, 1 ) sequence that are needed, and aContinue reading “MATHEMATICS: A Review of Binary Mathematics and the Hexadecimal Counting System:”
ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws
Q: What are the values of the currents ( I ) and unknown voltage drops ( V ) across the resistors ( R ) pictured below? A: The first problem-solving step involves assigning labels to the junctions ( j ) in the circuit: We must now sketch the currents flowing in the circuit: The currentContinue reading “ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws”
ELECTRICITY: Wattage
Q: A parallel electrical circuit connects the electrical outlets located within a room. A 20-A fuse is put into place to protect the circuit from unexpected surges of current ( I ). The voltage drop across each circuit element is V = 120 V. What is the maximum power ( W ) output that canContinue reading “ELECTRICITY: Wattage”
FINDING THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR ( LCD ) OF FRACTIONS AND DETERMINING THE TOTAL RESISTANCE ( Rt ) OF PARALLEL ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS:
FINDING THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR: Let’s first envision putting two half pieces of a pie together to get a full pie. Numerically, this would involve adding ( 1/2 ) + ( 1/2 ) = ( [ 1 + 1 ] / 2 ) = ( 2/2 ) = 1 whole pie. This example was madeContinue reading “FINDING THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR ( LCD ) OF FRACTIONS AND DETERMINING THE TOTAL RESISTANCE ( Rt ) OF PARALLEL ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS:”
MATHEMATICS: A Review of Logarithmic Functions and Exponential Math
The basic rules of exponents state that some number ( a ) raised to the ( x ) power is equal to ( y ). For example, ( 2 )( 2 ) = 4. This can also be expressed as ” two squared ” = 2^2. Likewise, ( 2 )( 2 )( 2 ) =Continue reading “MATHEMATICS: A Review of Logarithmic Functions and Exponential Math”
ELECTRICITY: Series and Parallel Electrical Circuits
Note: The problem is much easier when one is familiar with what a series vs. parallel circuit looks like. Fortunately, plenty of examples can be found on the internet. Q: Two resistors are submitted to a 12 V potential. When linked together, the current is of 1.33 A. When in parallel, the current is 5.4Continue reading “ELECTRICITY: Series and Parallel Electrical Circuits”
MATHEMATICS: Binary Math and Computer Architecture ( Digital Electronics )
Note: The voltage values need to be worked out, and the simple device here may not represent what’s in real computers, but on a simple level, it comes close. The link beneath this paragraph will take you to a diagram of a NOT Gate. When there’s no voltage ( or current ) applied to theContinue reading “MATHEMATICS: Binary Math and Computer Architecture ( Digital Electronics )”
MATHEMATICS: A Review of Percent-to-Decimal Conversions
Q: The changes in the price of a stock from one year to the next year for three consecutive years were a 20% increase, a 25% decrease, and a 60% increase. What amount was the increase in the price of the stock over the three years? (Calculator allowed) A. 38%B. 44%C. 47%D. 55% You canContinue reading “MATHEMATICS: A Review of Percent-to-Decimal Conversions”
MATHEMATICS: An Introduction To Chemistry and Physics
( 1 ) One times one equals one. ( 2 ) One divided by one equals one. These two concepts can get anyone off the ground and on their way to mastering intro. chemistry and/or physics. The following numbers are equivalent to the number 1 : ( 2 divided by 2 = 1 ), (Continue reading “MATHEMATICS: An Introduction To Chemistry and Physics”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 