FE Review
Computers
April 10, 2012
Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E.
Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng.
Outline
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Introduction
Overview of Computer Section
Spreadsheets
Structured Programming
Terminology
Exam Tips
Outline
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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
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Introduction
Overview of Computer Section
Spreadsheets
Structured Programming
Terminology
Exam Tips
Computer Section Overview
• 7% of 120 morning questions ≈ 8 problems.
Outline
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Introduction
Overview of Computer Section
Spreadsheets
Structured Programming
Terminology
Exam Tips
Supplied Handbook, p. 109
Relative Addressing
Absolute Addressing
Question #1
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
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #1
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
H I J K L M N O
(d) T8
T U V W X Y Z AA
The answer is (b)
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 #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
4
16
“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 #7
A 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
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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.
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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, 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 = 4
B = 4
Y = 3*B – 6 
IF Y > B THEN Y
IF Y < B THEN Y
IF Y = B THEN Y
Y
=
=
=
=
B
Y
B
3(4) –
– 2 
+ 2 
+ 2 
6 = 6
TRUE, SO Y = B-2 = 4-2 = 2
TRUE, SO Y = Y+2 = 2+2 = 4
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 = 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)
(b)
(c)
(d)
branching
function call
looping
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*a
return b
}
(a) branching
(b) function call
(c) looping
(d) subroutine
M.R. Lindeburg, “FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2010.
Outline
•
•
•
•
•
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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
(223 bits / 1 MB )*(1 sec/28,800 bits) = 291 seconds
K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
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.
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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.
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Spend 2 hours answering the next 40.
Per question: 3 minutes (6 minutes afternoon).
3. Ones you don’t know. Just guess.
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Last hour can be for guessing, checking easy answers,
and attempting the very difficulty problems.
Passing Rates
Conclusion
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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!