PreCalculus CLEP

[irnbru]

Actually, I take that back. If you add 1 to 2pi, you end up with 7.28, so I guess it's not so clear.

Pardon my rambling.

Right, the cosine function has a period of 2pi. So, if you set your calculator to radians (not degrees!) and find the cosine of 1+2pi it will be the same as the cosine of 1. We know it's not the answer to this specific question, though, because we were asked to find a value between pi and 2pi.

I think you've got it and hope bouncing these ideas helps.

[Tog]

Right, the cosine function has a period of 2pi. So, if you set your calculator to radians (not degrees!) and find the cosine of 1+2pi it will be the same as the cosine of 1. We know it's not the answer to this specific question, though, because we were asked to find a value between pi and 2pi.

I think you've got it and hope bouncing these ideas helps.

Thanks for the explanation. You actually helped me understand it. I have to admit though, I would not have figured that out on my own in a million years. It seems like a lot of these practice questions are very abstract. I wonder if they are just making it a bit more challenging than the test.

By the way, you seem awfully mathy for a Psyche major.

[Tog]

Has anyone noticed that the "Infinity graphing calculator" does not allow you to graph sec, csc or tan? I get an "unknown function" error.

[irnbru]

Has anyone noticed that the "Infinity graphing calculator" does not allow you to graph sec, csc or tan? I get an "unknown function" error.

I'm not familiar with that graphing calculator so these comments might be wide of the mark.

The three reciprocal functions will tend to a +ve or -ve infinity limit when the denominator (the cos/sin/tan function) is zero. Sounds like you are just getting a divide by zero error from an inappropriately-named tool? Alternatively, if the functions aren't actually named and set up to be plugged straight in, can you construct the functions you want by just entering 1/sin(x), etc?

The coolmath java calculator does a passable job of checking function shapes.

[Aysu]

I am considering taking it Tuesday but still feel awfully unprepared. The calculator section hit me hard on the practice moreso than the by hand portion (but I had my notecards on hand to reference!). I can tell I'm not using the calculator to its full potential. Any tips of recognizing which problems are best suited to which calculator functions? I tend to graph, then play around by hand, then attempt the solver, and then go back by hand. Too chaotic. Should the calculator simply be left in radians unless I know for sure otherwise?

Any things to focus on the most? I understand trig and graphs are a large portion but any more specifics would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently struggling the most with asymptotes, roots of intersecting functions, given a function (such as y=x^2+bx+c) that goes through a point and asking the value of c, and the trickier trig problems (such as the one discussed below). I still need tomorrow to actually memorizing my other dislikes such as the log/exponent formulas and trig identities of half-angle/double/ect. I also need to practice conics and memorize conics.

It's a push, I know. I'm starting to get the hang of approaching the problems but it's really close to the deadline. I'd prefer to just get it over with but I also need to pass it! So I'm not sure if I'm going to take it yet. I've been studying for maybe 2 to 2 and half weeks. I'm going to see if I can use tomorrow to pull everything together and then decide from there. Any topics to especially hit hard?

How close is the official study guide to the CLEP exam? I've been using that along with some previous posts from here and purplemath so far as my resources.

Thanks!

[Tog]

Actually, I figured it out. Thanks.

Basically, when graphing, you have to hit the "f(x)" button to add the functions. I was, rather stupidly, just typing in "tan," "sec," etc.

I'm glad I'm testing this out before going in for the test. This calculator is not overly intuitive to me.

[Tog]

I am considering taking it Tuesday but still feel awfully unprepared. The calculator section hit me hard on the practice moreso than the by hand portion (but I had my notecards on hand to reference!). I can tell I'm not using the calculator to its full potential. Any tips of recognizing which problems are best suited to which calculator functions? I tend to graph, then play around by hand, then attempt the solver, and then go back by hand. Too chaotic. Should the calculator simply be left in radians unless I know for sure otherwise?

Any things to focus on the most? I understand trig and graphs are a large portion but any more specifics would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently struggling the most with asymptotes, roots of intersecting functions, given a function (such as y=x^2+bx+c) that goes through a point and asking the value of c, and the trickier trig problems (such as the one discussed below). I still need tomorrow to actually memorizing my other dislikes such as the log/exponent formulas and trig identities of half-angle/double/ect. I also need to practice conics and memorize conics.

It's a push, I know. I'm starting to get the hang of approaching the problems but it's really close to the deadline. I'd prefer to just get it over with but I also need to pass it! So I'm not sure if I'm going to take it yet. I've been studying for maybe 2 to 2 and half weeks. I'm going to see if I can use tomorrow to pull everything together and then decide from there. Any topics to especially hit hard?

How close is the official study guide to the CLEP exam? I've been using that along with some previous posts from here and purplemath so far as my resources.

Thanks!

If you are talking about problems from the offical study guide, I can say that for the question about the intersecting functions, the roots are simply where the functions intersect. This is allowed because the combination of f(x) and g(x) is 0, meaning that when the functions are 0 when they meet.

As for the y=x^2+bx+c question, you can use the x=-b/2a formula to get x. Then just get y and x from the given point and solve for c.

Personally, I am really struggling with the trigonometry, especially the identities. I am just terrible at it. If it wasn't for Trig, I think I would be ready for this test.

[Aysu]

Thanks, I've figured them out now it's just when faced with similar types of questions and without the answer key to verify myself I'm not sure of the approach to figure them out quick enough. I think more memorization and knowing the calculator better would help. If only there was more time! :toetap: Ha. I can toy with them by hand and slowly retrieve those old formulas but I know that many I struggle with have a quicky way I don't see right off the bat.

[Aysu]

Personally, I am really struggling with the trigonometry, especially the identities. I am just terrible at it. If it wasn't for Trig, I think I would be ready for this test.

Back to the opening post I think you should go ahead and take it. You sound more ready than you think! Not sure when you are scheduled but if I take it I'll be sure to report back on Tuesday with anything I notice.

ETA: Anyone have advice of another practice exam to download that is the most similar to the CLEP exam? I have access to Peterson but I heard they weren't too accurate for this exam. I don't mind paying a small fee if it's good.

[Tog]

I am now working through the REA Precalculus CLEP guide. I don't think it is very good, but from what I gather, if you understand the material from this book well, you should be good for the test.