How mathy is the PS?

[amethystdoc]

I'm trying to work through the TBR physics 2009 edition and on the first chapter, for component vectors, for example if it asked you to calculate the x and y components and you get 4sin50 ... do I need to know the values of sin/cos/tan other than common ones (e.g. sin90/sin0 etc.) for the REAL MCAT? Or are the values given in the passage (i.e. sin50=__)? Also TBR said to use "graphical estimation" but I don't think this is very useful because I would need a ruler to be able to draw it perfectly!!!
Also while I'm at it, should I use TBR 2009 physics or TPR physics & math review book? I would like to get the TBR 2012 edition but I live in Canada so it would be hard.

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[Back 5]

The PS can be mathy, but you need to learn that approximating is okay. It's a multiple choice test, you only need to get close.

Do you need to memorize sin50? I would say no. Can you calculate sin 50? Sure can.

What's sin45? .71 is what I memorized. What's sin 60? .87 is what I memorized. .71 < sin50 < .87.

You could simplify the statement even further. .7 < sin50 < .9

 

[AktionPOTENTIAL]

The PS can be mathy, but you need to learn that approximating is okay. It's a multiple choice test, you only need to get close.

Do you need to memorize sin50? I would say no. Can you calculate sin 50? Sure can.

What's sin45? .71 is what I memorized. What's sin 60? .87 is what I memorized. .71 < sin50 < .87.

You could simplify the statement even further. .7 < sin50 < .9

OP take this advice and be merry! You should be fine w/ TBR physics.

 

[CjOz]

In short, yes it would be in your benefit to memorize the decimal outputs for sin(30/60/90) and cos(30/60/90). The PS is pretty "mathy" which made me want to cry during the test considering I went into a Biology undergrad major in order to avoid math.......but its always there.

 

[Hemorrage]

Yeah math sucks. Concepts are definitely my forte so I get nervous anytime I see some strange calculation. That being said usually most TBR calculations revolve around some basic concept they are twisting around in words

 

[CyberMaxx]

I found the PS section to be very math intensive. I memorized a fairly large number of formulas and calculations. I highly recommend the Berkeley Review for PS studying, the content and passages cannot be beaten. TBR is great because it helps you understand what you need to memorize and gives really helpful quick and dirty formulas for you to use.

 

[chddoc]

I have both the versions of TBR physics, 2009 as well as 2012. 2012 is much better and is full of tips and tricks for the math involved.

 

[LegendaryPunk]

Even though the multiple choice answers are exact, that doesn't mean YOU need to calculate the exact answer. For the most part you just need to be able to determine that the answer you're looking for is between x and y, then match that to the answer key.