FE Review Computers April 10, 2012 Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E. Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng.

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.

Computer Section Overview 7% of 120 morning questions ≈ 8 problems.

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 O T 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 #3 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18 th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.

Question #4 234 16 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18 th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.

Question #5

Question #6 “FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2 nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.

Question #7 A partial spreadsheet is shown below: “FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2 nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.

Question #7

The answer is (D) 4

Question #8

Question #9

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 – IF/THEN – DO/WHILE – DO/UNTIL – FOR – GOTO (outdated) Could be asked about generic programming concepts.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 = 4 B = 4 Y = 3*B – 6 IF Y > B THEN Y = B – 2 IF Y < B THEN Y = Y + 2 IF Y = B THEN Y = B + 2 (a) 2 (b) 6 (c) 8 (d) 12 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2 nd 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 = 4 B = 4 Y = 3*B – 6  Y = 3(4) – 6 = 6 IF Y > B THEN Y = B – 2  TRUE, SO Y = B-2 = 4-2 = 2 IF 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, 2 nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.

Question #11 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2 nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.

Question #14 RESULT = TRUE implies A.AND.B = TRUE which requires that both A 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*a return b } (a)branching (b)function call (c)looping (d)subroutine M.R. Lindeburg, “FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2 nd Edition,” PPI, 2010.

Question #15 The following code is an example of what programming technique? b = cube(a) cube(a) { b= a*a*a return b } (a)branching (b)function call (c)looping (d)subroutine M.R. Lindeburg, “FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2 nd Edition,” PPI, 2010.

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 #18 K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997 (2 23 bits / 1 MB )*(1 sec/28,800 bits) = 291 seconds

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

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

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! TopicPercentageCumulative Computers7% Engineering Economics8%15% Ethics & Business Practices7%22% Engineering Prob. & Statistics7%29% Mathematics15%44% Electricity & Magnetism9%53% Chemistry9%62% Engineering Mechanics (Statics/Dynamics)10%72% Fluid Mechanics7%79% Strength of Materials7%86% Material Properties7%93% Thermodynamics7%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!

FE Review Computers April 10, 2012 Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E. Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "FE Review Computers April 10, 2012 Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E. Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

FE Review Computers April 10, 2012 Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E. Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "FE Review Computers April 10, 2012 Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E. Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback