Improving @ Calc Apps

[bradp]

What's the best way to get better at this test? What are some good strategies? Is RPN a necessity?

[AuSmith]

Yea, RPN is very nice to have. I heard Phillip Cherry got a 400 on a junior high test with a TI, but c'mon. If you want to succeed at calc apps, you should go ahead and get an HP32SII, or SIII, whatever that new one is. Has anybody used the new HP on calc apps extensively? How does it compare?

Anyway, RPNs make all the "number punches" a whole lot easier since you don't have to worry about parenthesis. The biggest part of calc is to finish the number punches fast enough to have some time on the stated and geo (what real-life advantage there is to a typewriting contest on a calculator? I was told the only profit is that you achieve something mechanical(anybody can do it) by working hard). Oh, yea. They changed the test to less punches. Forgot. Well, on the old tests, you should be finishing the punches in at most 15 minutes.

As for stated and geo, you can find a solutions manual or post questions here.

Best Wishes,
Aaron

[bradp]

Here's a question from this year's study list:
The velocity of a car can be approximated by the equation v(t) = 60(1-(t-20)^2/400) mph where t is in seconds. What is the acceleration at t = 0 in ft/s^2?

Answer given is 8.80

Derivative (and acceleration) @ t=0 is 6 miles per hour (or hour squared?)

6 * 5280 ft/mi * 1 hr / 3600 sec = 8.8

Why isn't it 6*5280 / (3600*3600) since accel has squared units of time?

[The3point14]

I have both the 32SII and the 33SIII. I like the 32SII, but that is because I have used it for 5 years, and I can also see why someone would want the 33SIII, because I believe the buttons are positioned better for speed. I plan on using the 32SII unless I can improve a lot with the 33SIII, but IMO if you are just starting out you should use the newer 33SIII. Both of them are very good though.

[AuSmith]

You have v(t) in mph and t is in seconds.... so your acceleration would be mph/sec.