fe review computers april 10, 2012 matthew c. valenti, ph.d., p.e. lane dept. comp. sci. &...
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FE ReviewComputers
April 10, 2012Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E.
Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng.
Outline
• Introduction• Overview of Computer Section• Spreadsheets• Structured Programming• Terminology• Exam Tips
Outline
• Introduction• Overview of Computer Section• Spreadsheets• Structured Programming• Terminology• Exam Tips
About Me…
• B.S.E.E., Virginia Tech, 1992.• Electronics Engineer, U.S. Naval Research Lab, 1992-
1995.• M.S.E.E., Johns Hopkins, 1995.• Ph.D., Virginia Tech, 1999.• Assistant Professor, WVU, 1999-2005.• Associate Professor, WVU, 2005-2010.• Full Professor, WVU, 2010-present.• Passed FE Exam, Oct. 2010.• Passed PE Exam, Oct. 2011.
Outline
• Introduction• Overview of Computer Section• Spreadsheets• Structured Programming• Terminology• Exam Tips
Computer Section Overview
• 7% of 120 morning questions ≈ 8 problems.
Outline
• Introduction• Overview of Computer Section• Spreadsheets• Structured Programming• Terminology• Exam Tips
Supplied Handbook, p. 109
Relative Addressing
Absolute Addressing
Question #1
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
In a typical spreadsheet, the reference H$8 is typed into cell T5. If this reference is copied into cell AA8, which cell will it refer to?
(a) AA5(b) O8(c) O11(d) T8
Question #1
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
H I J K L M N OT U V W X Y Z AA
In a typical spreadsheet, the reference H$8 is typed into cell T5. If this reference is copied into cell AA8, which cell will it refer to?
(a) AA5(b) O8(c) O11(d) T8
The answer is (b)
Question #2
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #2
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #3
“Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #3
“Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #4
“Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #4
2 3 416
“Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #5
“Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #5
Question #6
“FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #6
“FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #7A partial spreadsheet is shown below:
“FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #7
Question #7
The answer is (D) 4
Question #8
“FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #8
Question #9
“FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #9
Outline
• Introduction• Overview of Computer Section• Spreadsheets• Structured Programming• Terminology• Exam Tips
Structured Programming
• You will be given several lines of pseudocode, and asked to determine the final values of variables.– Syntax similar to Matlab or Fortran.
• Need to understand logic for branching and looping.– IF/THEN– DO/WHILE– DO/UNTIL– FOR– GOTO (outdated)
• Could be asked about generic programming concepts.
Question #10• A computer structured programming segment contains the following
program segment. What is the value of Y after the segment is executed?Y = 4B = 4Y = 3*B – 6IF Y > B THEN Y = B – 2IF Y < B THEN Y = Y + 2IF Y = B THEN Y = B + 2
(a) 2(b) 6(c) 8(d) 12
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #10• A computer structured programming segment contains the following
program segment. What is the value of Y after the segment is executed?Y = 4B = 4Y = 3*B – 6 Y = 3(4) – 6 = 6IF Y > B THEN Y = B – 2 TRUE, SO Y = B-2 = 4-2 = 2IF Y < B THEN Y = Y + 2 TRUE, SO Y = Y+2 = 2+2 = 4 IF Y = B THEN Y = B + 2 TRUE, SO Y = B+2 = 4+2 = 6
(a) 2(b) 6(c) 8(d) 12
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #11
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #11
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #12
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #12
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #13
“Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #13
“Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #14
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #14
RESULT = TRUEimplies A.AND.B = TRUEwhich requires that bothA and B be TRUE.So A must be TRUE.
Question #15
• The following code segment is an example of what programming technique?
b = cube(a)cube(a){b= a*a*areturn b}
(a) branching(b) function call(c) looping(d) subroutine
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2010.
Question #15
• The following code is an example of what programming technique?
b = cube(a)cube(a){b= a*a*areturn b}
(a) branching(b)function call(c) looping(d) subroutine
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2010.
Outline
• Introduction• Overview of Computer Section• Spreadsheets• Structured Programming• Terminology• Exam Tips
Terminology
• Memory concepts:– Different types of memory.– Know difference between bits and bytes.– Mega, kilo, etc.
• Data transmission concepts:– baud, bps (bits per second).– simplex, half duplex, full duplex.
• Compilers: – Machine code vs. assembly code.
• Problems may require simple calculation, but the challenge is to know the terminology.
Question #16
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #16
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #17
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #17
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #18
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #18
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
(223 bits / 1 MB )*(1 sec/28,800 bits) = 291 seconds
Question #19
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #19
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #20
• Which of the following is a volatile type of data storage:
(a) hard disk(b) CD-ROM(c) FLASH drive(d) RAM
Question #20
• Which of the following is a volatile type of data storage:
(a) hard disk(b) CD-ROM(c) FLASH drive(d)RAM
Question #21
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #21
Question #22
• Which of the following is the computer language that is executed within a computer’s central processing unit:
(a) operating system(b) machine language(c) high-level language(d) assembly language
Question #22
• Which of the following is the computer language that is executed within a computer’s central processing unit:
(a) operating system(b)machine language(c) high-level language(d) assembly language
Outline
• Introduction• Overview of Computer Section• Spreadsheets• Structured Programming• Terminology• Exam Tips
It’s a Marathon
• The exam is long:– 4 hour Morning Session.– 1 hour Lunch.– 4 hour Afternoon Session.
• Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint.– Develop your test stamina through practice.– Get good night’s sleep: Don’t cram!– Eat big breakfast. Bring a few snacks & a drink.
• Manage your time effectively.– Don’t leave early (especially the morning session).
Know the Handbook
• You will be given a copy of the “Supplied Handbook”.
• Know where to find things in the Handbook.– Use it when preparing/studying.– The index can be helpful.
Know Your Calculator
• Your calculator must be on the “approved list”.– I recommend the Casio FX 115
• Take advantage of its advanced features.– Integration, derivatives.– Matrix/vector operations.– Finding roots.
• Practice with your calculator.– You can’t bring the instruction manual with you.
Passing Scores
• Officially, you need an overall score of 70% to pass.• Unofficially, you could pass with a score as low as 50%.• No penalty for guessing.
– Make sure to respond to every question.– Suppose you get 1/3 of the problems correct, and guess on
the rest. If 1/4 of those guesses are correct, what will your overall score be?
No Matter Your Discipline,You Can Get 1/3 Right!
Topic Percentage Cumulative
Computers 7% 7%
Engineering Economics 8% 15%
Ethics & Business Practices 7% 22%
Engineering Prob. & Statistics 7% 29%
Mathematics 15% 44%
Electricity & Magnetism 9% 53%
Chemistry 9% 62%
Engineering Mechanics (Statics/Dynamics) 10% 72%
Fluid Mechanics 7% 79%
Strength of Materials 7% 86%
Material Properties 7% 93%
Thermodynamics 7% 100%
Time Management
• Work the Exam in Three Passes.1. Ones you know for sure, and can solve quickly.• Spend 1 hour to answer 40 easiest questions.• Per question: 90 seconds (3 minutes afternoon).
2. Ones you can likely solve, but will take time.• Spend 2 hours answering the next 40.• Per question: 3 minutes (6 minutes afternoon).
3. Ones you don’t know. Just guess.• Last hour can be for guessing, checking easy answers,
and attempting the very difficulty problems.
Passing Rates
Conclusion
• Approach the exam as if it were a marathon.• Know the Reference Manual.• Know your calculator.• Answer the easy questions first.• The computer section is one of the easiest.• You can pass!