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Physics Core Concept Cheat Sheet

02: Basic Math for Physics


Algebra Math with Exponents
Calculations with exponents:
If a # is … to a then … the # to Example • Anything to the power of “1” = itself
variable, solve for the 251 = 25
variable • Anything to the power of “0” = 1
Added Subtract 5=x+2 250 = 1
-2 -2 • Multiplying (with the same base) Æ add the powers
5-2 = x 32 * 38 = 311
Subtracted Add 3=x–6 • Dividing (with the same base) Æ subtract the powers
+6 +6 32 ÷ 38 = 3-6
3-6 = x • When taking a power of a power Æ multiply the powers
Multiplied Divide 2 = 4x (32)3 = 36
1. 4 • A negative power puts the number on the opposite side of
2/4 = x the fraction & the power becomes positive.
Divided Multiply 2·6=x·2 3-2 = 1/32
2
2·6=x Calculations with scientific notation
• Adding (with same power of 10): Add numbers and keep
power of 10
Calculations with Significant Figures 2 × 103 + 3 × 103 = 5 × 103
• Subtracting (with same power of 10): Subtract numbers
Adding & Subtracting: and keep power of 10
1. Perform the calculation 3 × 103 – 3 × 103 = -1 × 103
2. Determine the least # of decimal places in problem • Multiplying: Multiply numbers & add powers of ten
3. Round answer to that # of decimal places 2 × 106 · 3 × 103 = 6 × 1018
Example: 10.027 g → 3 decimal places • Dividing: Divide numbers & subtract powers of 10
- 1.5 g → 1 decimal place 2 × 106 ÷ 3 × 103 = 0.67 × 103
8.527 g → 8.5 g (1 decimal place) • Taking it to a power: Take the number to the power and
multiply the power of 10 by the power
Multiplying & Dividing: (2 × 103)3 = 8 × 109
1. Perform the calculation • Roots: Take the number to the root and divide the power
2. Determine the least # of sig figures in problem of 10 by the root
3. Round answer to that # of sig figures √(3 × 102) = √3 × 101
Example: 10.027 g → 5 sig figs
1.50 mL → 3 sig figs Trig functions
answer = 6.6847 g/mL → 6.68 g/mL (3 sig digs)
opposite adjacent
sin Θ = cos Θ =
Scientific Notation hypotenuse hypotenuse
Scientific Notation—a short hand method of writing opposite ⎛ opposite ⎞
numbers using powers of 10.
tan Θ = Θ = sin −1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
adjacent ⎝ hypotenuse ⎠
Writing scientific notation: ⎛ adjacent ⎞ ⎛ opposite ⎞
1. The decimal point is always moved to after the 1st non- Θ = cos −1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ Θ = sin −1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
zero number.
2. Count the number of times the decimal point is moved
⎝ hypotenuse ⎠ ⎝ hypotenuse ⎠
and use this as the power of 10.
3. “Big” numbers (>1) have positive exponents. “Small” Quadratic Equation
numbers (<1) have negative exponents.
Examples: 1027500.456 → 1.027500456 × 106 − b ± b 2 − 4ac
0.0007543 → 7.543 × 104 x= where ax 2 + bx + c = 0
2a
Reading scientific notation:
1. Power of 10 = number of times to move decimal point
2. Positive powers = make the number “Big” (>1). Example: If 1x 2 + 5 x − 8 = 0
Negative exponents = make the number “Small” (<1) Then − 5 ± 5 2 − 4 *1* −8
x=
Examples: 3.25 × 10-6 → 0.00000325 2 *1
7.2004 × 104 → 7200.4
Calculator Survival
• Always use the ÷ key to designate a number is on the
bottom of an expression.
• Always use the EE (or EXP) key to enter scientific notation.
• Always use parenthesis around addition or subtraction when
combining it with other operations
• To make something negative (when taking the number to a
power), keep the negative outside of the parenthesis.
How to Use This Cheat Sheet: These are the keys related this topic. Try to read through it carefully twice then recite it out on a
blank sheet of paper. Review it again before the exams.

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