What values for sin, cos and tan for 30, 45 and 60 degrees does the mcat use?

[saoj]

TPR takes cos 30 = 0.85, but this is a rough approximation. Should I memorize the approximations or the sqrt(3) / 2 ?

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[JohnSnow]

TPR takes cos 30 = 0.85, but this is a rough approximation. Should I memorize the approximations or the sqrt(3) / 2 ?

In my experience they usually give you the values for SIN COS & TAN that they want you to use.

I think knowing .85 is adequate, I'm not saying you won't need to know the sqrt values but it's up to you if you want to go the extra mile and memorize the fractions.

Before AAMC practice exams and the real thing I only knew the decimals and I didn't end up needing to know them (as all necessary values were given), but that doesn't mean that you won't be expected to know them.

EDIT: This is completely unrelated to your question but the MCAT also gives you a periodic table so don't waste your time memorizing exactly where elements are on the table.... I think I memorized about 30-40 elements and their exact positions before I learned the periodic table was given.

 

[MedPR]

TPR takes cos 30 = 0.85, but this is a rough approximation. Should I memorize the approximations or the sqrt(3) / 2 ?

Either will be fine. If you're good with decimals, learn the decimal values. If you'd rather manipulate fractions, learn the fraction value. It's all the same, just a matter of preference.

Personally I know cos30 as .86, but when I see something like 473cos30, I just do 47*8, and get something between 320 and 400, but closer to 400.

Don't try to be exact.