college

[tricky]

have an interview at my local college tomorrow with a view to enroling on the part time electrical course.

I have worked as an electricans mate for the last two years doing mainly domestic electrical work. Re-wires, new socket on the cellar head, that kind of thing.

The reason I am posting on this forum (Hope I've done it in the right area ) is because the letter they sent through along with my appointment stated that I needed to take a scientific calculator with me that has the cos sin and tan functions on it because I'm going to have to pass a maths test.

Why would I need to be working out the length of 1 side of a triangle or the degrees of an angle to become an electrician?
or am I barking up the wrong tree, Will I more likely be tested on something else involving these functions?

I'm sure there will be a reason for it, I just can't think what it is......



Tricky...

[welshwizard]

Hi Tricky - Welcome to the forum. This thread has now been to moved to the Student & Learning zone.

I too, am in college. Part Time as an adult learner. Colleges only tend to do tests (inc Maths) if an applicant is under a certain age. (How old are you?).

Yes, I can confirm that a scientific calculator is needed for you COURSE, not just your interview.

There is a cracking Scientific calculator in Tesco for £8.50 at the moment. :p

[Mr Sworld]

It's all about triangles when you are working out three-phase calculations!

Try searching the web for 'Phasor diagrams' and you'll see what I mean!

Other than that as long as you have got basic maths skills you'll be fine. Although it does get a bit tricky towards the end of the course.

Remember 'BODMAS' and you'll be good.






















































Brackets

Operations

Division

Multiplication

Addition

Subtraction

[Mr Sworld]

It's the order in which you work out long mathematical formula. :)

[tricky]

Thanks Guys,

I'm 31 but I know that there are few places and many applicants for the course.
Maybe that is the reason for the testing

Sorry about the misplaced post, will try to post in the right places next time.

Like I said in my previous post, i've been working in the game for about 2 years. I've concentrated on my craft and now it's time to get involved in the technical side of things.

Just hope I get a place!!!

Thanks again.

tricky

[sparky999]

sohcahtoa remember that!

[Mr Sworld]

I hope you do too Tricky. :)

Just remember to tell the college that half the 16 years olds will of quit within 8 weeks but you as a MATURE student will still be hanging in there! :^O

[Mr Sworld]

sohcahtoa remember that!

Sine = Opposite / Hypotenuse

Cosine = Adjacent / Hypotenuse

Tangent = Opposite / Adjacent

Do I get a gold star? :p

[tricky]

Thanks again guys, will let you know how I get on.

[sparky999]

Mr sworld i'll give u 2 gold stars for that sir !!!

[Mr Sworld]

Mr sworld i'll give u 2 gold stars for that sir !!!

Cool! Three more and I get early play-time! :^O

[tricky]

Thats all very good, BUT WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!!!??!!?!?!?:O

[Mr Sworld]

Soh Cah Toa (http://id.mind.net/~zona/mmts/trigonometryRealms/introduction/rightTriangle/trigRightTriangle.html)

Bodmas (http://www.easymaths.com/What_on_earth_is_Bodmas.htm)

;)

[M107]

The power of indocies is a wonderful thing. :)
BIDMAS

I hated & failed maths at school, but found I could do it & liked it as a mature student when at college.

Scientific calc is a must

[Mr Sworld]

I hated & failed maths at school, but found I could do it & liked it as a mature student when at college.

I think it's all about being able to relate a subject to something you are doing each day.

[tricky]

:^OThanks Mr Sword, You are the maths daddy.:^O

[Mr Sworld]

:^OThanks Mr Sword, You are the maths daddy.:^O

Ah shucks! :x

[tricky]

:) mr s is the maths daddy:)

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I was forced to go out and buy a scientific calculator whilst sitting the 2391 course. I still today can't work out even how to turn it on, although its been very useful for wedging the office door open in the warm weather.

[Mr Sworld]

I was forced to go out and buy a scientific calculator whilst sitting the 2391 course. I still today can't work out even how to turn it on, although its been very useful for wedging the office door open in the warm weather.

Is it one of these? (http://www.fotosearch.com/BDX403/bxp142555/) ;)

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Is it one of these? (http://www.fotosearch.com/BDX403/bxp142555/) ;)


:D:D:D

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

More like this (http://www.locostmortgages.co.uk/images/abbacus.gif)

[Mr Sworld]

More like this (http://www.locostmortgages.co.uk/images/abbacus.gif)

:D :^O

[ABC Technical]

The power of indocies is a wonderful thing. :)
BIDMAS

I hated & failed maths at school, but found I could do it & liked it as a mature student when at college.

Scientific calc is a must

Me too & I was in the 2nd from top class, but when I did my course I found that I loved it, it was like learning a new language to me.

[Admin]

:D

[tricky]

Went for my test for the C&G2330 course today, passed the english test easily. Passed the maths test, only just. so lots of work to do in the numbers department before the course starts..

But I'm in so :^O:^O:^O


But, this is where the interesting story begins........

When I went to pay for my course at the enrolment office (£924 for the first year:O) I handed over my £308 first payment and filled in a sheet of paper to set up a direct debit to pay the rest over two months the woman bhind the desk asked me how many GCSE's between the grades of A through C at school.

When I told her I only got one she gave me my £308 back, tore up the direct debit shet and told me she didn't wqant my money because somebody called Mr Brown was paying it for me...

Whe I asked her what she was going on about she told me that the government have started a scheme to get adult learners up to a higher standard of GCSE equivelant qualifications. Because my course will put me above the standard the government are looking for, Mr Brown will be coughing up for my first year at college!!!!!


It wont make e vote labour but it was a nice suprise to save myself a bag of sand!!!!:^O:^O:^O

:^O:^OHAPPY DAYS!!:^O:^O

One more thing... Thanks again to the people who gave me advice about maths last night. Some of the questions were relevent to what you told me last night and I doubt I would have passed with out the info you gave me. If your ever in Sheffield, I'll buy you a pint..

Tricky..

[M107]

Well done & good luck.
Remember where to come if your stuck on the home work ;)
Not that it'll get done on a plate for you, but you will be advised on where to get the answers you require.

[Admin]

Absolutely great news Mate - FANTASTIC.

Keep an eye on this Section (http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=30) and maybe you could add to it too?

Regards,

Admin.

[ABC Technical]

Well done & good news indeed. :)

[Admin]

My Lecturer phoned me at 12 Today - to ask if I was going on the level 3. :)