DAT question

[sumoberrylu]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I don't know if this has been posted.
But, for Gen chem on the DAT, do we have to know how to take logs without a calculator? I'm talking about the more difficult logs...like the problems in DAT destroyer where you take negative logs of 3.5x10^-2

If you guys know how to do that, can you teach me? ): My test is in two weeks!

 

[dentalWorks]

So I don't know if this has been posted.
But, for Gen chem on the DAT, do we have to know how to take logs without a calculator? I'm talking about the more difficult logs...like the problems in DAT destroyer where you take negative logs of 3.5x10^-2

If you guys know how to do that, can you teach me? ): My test is in two weeks!

no no no, all the logs (if you have any) will be VERY simple.... GC portion isn't designed to test your math abilities (thats left for QR), they just want to know if you can set up the equation properly.

Alot of times, the solution is just the setup (without the final calculation)

 

[Aaln]

no no no, all the logs (if you have any) will be VERY simple.... GC portion isn't designed to test your math abilities (thats left for QR), they just want to know if you can set up the equation properly.

Alot of times, the solution is just the setup (without the final calculation)

This. They won't ask you to do any calculations that result in weird numbers with decimals and stuff. All the calculations are doable 🙂

 

[namiie]

no no no, all the logs (if you have any) will be VERY simple.... GC portion isn't designed to test your math abilities (thats left for QR), they just want to know if you can set up the equation properly.

Alot of times, the solution is just the setup (without the final calculation)

Not really. I've seen acid/base questions that require using the formula -log[H+] to find pH where [H+] is given in scientific notation. It's a useful skill to learn anyhow.

To the OP: I think Kaplan gives the easiest strategy for approximating logs in scientific notation--if it's a negative log, say, -log(1.8 x 10^-5), you can approximate it like so: 5 - log 1.8. 1.8 is smaller than 5 by a considerable amount, so its log would also be small; we would then estimate the answer to be closer to 5 than it is to 4, and when calculated, it's actually 4.74. If it's something like -log(7.4 x 10^-5), then it'd be 5 - log 7.4, and since 7.4 is greater than 5, the answer is closer to 4--maybe 4.2 or 4.1. After putting it in a calculator to check, the answer is 4.13.

Does that make sense?

 

[dentalWorks]

Not really. I've seen acid/base questions that require using the formula -log[H+] to find pH where [H+] is given in scientific notation. It's a useful skill to learn anyhow.

To the OP: I think Kaplan gives the easiest strategy for approximating logs in scientific notation--if it's a negative log, say, -log(1.8 x 10^-5), you can approximate it like so: 5 - log 1.8. 1.8 is smaller than 5 by a considerable amount, so its log would also be small; we would then estimate the answer to be closer to 5 than it is to 4, and when calculated, it's actually 4.74. If it's something like -log(7.4 x 10^-5), then it'd be 5 - log 7.4, and since 7.4 is greater than 5, the answer is closer to 4--maybe 4.2 or 4.1. After putting it in a calculator to check, the answer is 4.13.

Does that make sense?

Did you really have that kinda calculation on your DAT? I don't remember having that at all. Matter of fact, I was very surprised to see most of my solutions were just half-way setups (yes even the pH stuff). If I remember correctly, there was a problem about finding the pH and all the answer choices were written in the form of -log[that molarity].

But that is a great tutorial for approximating any pH 👍, I had to know that for GC class, very helpful in long exams where rushing answers was mandatory for a high grade.

 

[sumoberrylu]

Not really. I've seen acid/base questions that require using the formula -log[H+] to find pH where [H+] is given in scientific notation. It's a useful skill to learn anyhow.

To the OP: I think Kaplan gives the easiest strategy for approximating logs in scientific notation--if it's a negative log, say, -log(1.8 x 10^-5), you can approximate it like so: 5 - log 1.8. 1.8 is smaller than 5 by a considerable amount, so its log would also be small; we would then estimate the answer to be closer to 5 than it is to 4, and when calculated, it's actually 4.74. If it's something like -log(7.4 x 10^-5), then it'd be 5 - log 7.4, and since 7.4 is greater than 5, the answer is closer to 4--maybe 4.2 or 4.1. After putting it in a calculator to check, the answer is 4.13.

Does that make sense?

wow, thanks!! 🙂

 

[futuredentis]

Namiie i see you have really high score on DAT... can u give me some advice? i have read and done all the books and practice tests that exist but i still keep getting 18 🙁
Thank you

 

[sumoberrylu]

Namiie i see you have really high score on DAT... can u give me some advice? i have read and done all the books and practice tests that exist but i still keep getting 18 🙁
Thank you

i want advice too.
nothing is sticking in my head ):

 

[namiie]

Namiie i see you have really high score on DAT... can u give me some advice? i have read and done all the books and practice tests that exist but i still keep getting 18 🙁
Thank you

Sure! You can PM me and I will try to help 🙂