07-02-2008, 12:18 AM
After we had an initial discussion at our study group, it was clear that memory fades with the passage of time. Although all of those present had done the sort of calculations before that are needed for braking calculations and stopping headway etc, doing the sums was not as free flowing as it should have been. Remember, although it is an exam to signal the layout and there are marks for showing the right calculations, you should not have to waste time thinking about the formulae that you are going to use.
The information on the attached sheet comes from notes I had from when I was doing A levels (who says you never put things from school into practice). Clearly, you only need to remember the formulae and not the derivation, but if you understand the derivation, you will be in a better position to understand what the formulae are calculating. On the other hand, if you remember the method and your mind does go blank in the exam, you might be able to redeem things by developing the required expression from first principles.
You may of course know simplified versions of these for a particular set of circumstances. Beware
The information on the attached sheet comes from notes I had from when I was doing A levels (who says you never put things from school into practice). Clearly, you only need to remember the formulae and not the derivation, but if you understand the derivation, you will be in a better position to understand what the formulae are calculating. On the other hand, if you remember the method and your mind does go blank in the exam, you might be able to redeem things by developing the required expression from first principles.
You may of course know simplified versions of these for a particular set of circumstances. Beware