memorizing equations, etc.?

[crazymedgirl]

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Ok, I have found that the prep books I am using did not make this clear--exactly what am I supposed to be *memorizing* for the MCAT? Am I supposed to know every single chemistry/physics equation by heart? That seems a little excessive! Don't they provide you with any equations?

Also--for physics, being that there are no calculators allowed, do people memorize values of sine, cosine and tangent for various numbers? The EK and BR books I am using both seemed to imply that I should just "know" the value for something like sin(30) off the top of my head? Is that reasonable? How much of this kind of thing should I be memorizing, if any at all?

I'd appreciate any input--I'm getting really overwhelmed about all this!

 

[newtonsfriend]

Hey, I have not taken the test yet so I am in the same boat. I believe in depth or complex equations are given; however, basic ones such as p=mv or F=ma are not given. Also, you need to know basic trig functions sin cos tan of 15, 30, 45 degrees. so yes you need to know sin of 30. Hope this helps.

 

[SN2ed]

I wouldn't worry about route memorization just yet. You should memorize the needed equations simply through using them so often when you complete tons of practice questions.

To help with sin, cos, and tan angle values, check out these pages:

http://www.themathpage.com/aTrig/30-60-90-triangle.htm

http://www.themathpage.com/aTrig/isosceles-right-triangle.htm

 

[KiwiBruin]

Been a while since I took math, but aren't the important ones where theta = 0,30,45,60, and 90? not 15?

Anyways, I don't know for sure since I haven't taken the MCAT, but I think they require you to remember most of the basic equations. Knowing the equations can only help you. I 'm 99% sure they don't provide equations but hopefully someone more experienced can chip in. =]

Thanks for the link SN2. I bookmarked it for later viewing =D

 

[SN2ed]

Been a while since I took math, but aren't the important ones where theta = 0,30,45,60, and 90? not 15?

Anyways, I don't know for sure since I haven't taken the MCAT, but I think they require you to remember most of the basic equations. Knowing the equations can only help you. I 'm 99% sure they don't provide equations but hopefully someone more experienced can chip in. =]

Thanks for the link SN2. I bookmarked it for later viewing =D

They do provide equations on the MCAT. Now, which equations they give you is up to them. For instance, on my MCAT, I was given simple equations like f=ma and some more complex ones. Usually, the absurdly complex equations are just tricks and you can easily use a basic equation in its place. Again, most people end up memorizing the necessary equations through obscene amounts of practice problems.

 

[crazymedgirl]

Ok thanks guys--that helped (and thanks for the links, SN2ed!)

I guess you're right---after doing a million problems, I'll probably have internalized most of them....I hope....

 

[Bernoull]

one of the best ways to derive trig fns of common angles is:


step1: list these numbers : 0 1 2 3 4
step2: take the sqrt of all: 0 √1 √2 √3 √4
step3: divide each number by 2: 0 √1/2 √2/2 √3/2 √4/2 which simplifies to 0 1/2 √2/2 √3/2 1

Finally for sine, list these angles above "the numbers from step 3" like so:

(sine of) 0 30 45 60 90
(result is) 0 1/2 √2/2 √3/2 1

reverse the angle order from ascending to descending for cosine

(cosine of) 90 60 45 30 0
(result is) 0 1/2 √2/2 √3/2 1

remember the remaining trig fns are simply ratios or reciprocal of sin and cos: tan=sin/cos , cot=cos/sin, csc=1/sin sec=1/cos

This saved my life in calc 2!!!!! i hope it helps.

 

[Bernoull]

I forgot to add, one thing i love about the EK books is that after each chapter they summarize the things you absolutely have to know for the mcat especially equations. Also, when they include eqs as background to explain something but they tell u not to memorize it bcos its beyond the mcat. In short they tell u what u need and dont need to memorize.

 

[crazymedgirl]

Thanks Bernoull!!! Great trick!

 

[carlogu]

I would recommend mem. the equations, but by using them in homework (dont sit there and write them over and over). Flashcards can help if you aren't quite getting them by sheer usage. I feel that the feeling of "memorizing and not using" is infinitely better than "needing and not knowing."

Good luck!!!