IES: Lesson - Math Review š
ā³ Estimated Reading/Watching Time: 12 - 14 minutes
In this lesson, you will learn the types of basic calculations needed for the AP Environmental Science exam.
Math in AP Environmental Science?
The AP College board test center allows a scientific calculator on the May exam. The challenge will be setting up the problems correctly (you will still be required to show your work) and knowing enough basic math to solve the problems. With practice, you will be a math expert by the time the exam rolls around. So, let's start sharpening your math skills!
Required For All Math Problems
- You will be required to write out all your work steps on the APES exam, even if it's something really simple. Therefore, on all course assignments, labs, quizzes, and tests, you will be expected to do the same.
- Include units in each step. Your answers always need units and it's easier to keep track of them if you write them in every step.
- Check your work. Go back through each step to make sure you didn't make any mistakes in your calculations. Also, check to see if your answer makes sense. For example, a person probably will not eat 13 million pounds of meat in a year. If you get an answer that seems unlikely, it probably is. Go back and check your work.
On the FRQ portion of the AP exam, you will be required to show your work for all calculations, even simple ones! You will not earn credit if you do not show your work!
Averages
To find an average, add all the quantities given and divide the total by the number of quantities.
Watch the short video below to see the type of average calculations you'll need to do in AP Environmental Science:
Percentages
Percents show fractions or decimals with a denominator of 100.
Watch the short video below to see the type of percentage calculations you'll need to do in AP Environmental Science:
On the AP Exam, you may be asked to solve problems involving percentages. Remember to always show your work with units and you may use a calculator on the AP exam.
Metric Units
Kilo-, centi-, and milli- are the most frequently used prefixes of the metric system. You need to be able to go from one to another without a calculator. You can remember the order of the prefixes by using the following sentence: King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk. Since the multiples and divisions of the base units are all factors of ten, you just need to move the decimal to convert from one to another.
Watch the short video below to see the type of percentage calculations you'll need to do in AP Environmental Science:
When converting between metric units, always check your answer to see if it makes sense. For example, if you are converting from centimeters to kilometers (a small unit to a big unit), your answer will be MUCH SMALLER than the original number. The same goes for converting kilometers to millimeters - the answer will be MUCH BIGGER than the original number because you are converting a large unit to a small unit.
Use King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk to help you remember the order of the metric units and always check to make sure that your answer makes sense.
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