AP Physics - Core Concept Cheat Sheet

02: Basic Math for Physics

Algebra Math with Exponents
Calculations with exponents:
If a number is Then to solve Example • Power of “1”: Anything to the power of “1” = itself.
__to a variable __ that number 251 = 25
on both sides to • Power of “0”: Anything to the power of “0” = 1
solve for the 250 = 1
variable • Multiplying (with the same base): Add the powers.
Added Subtract 5=x+2 32 * 38 = 311
-2 -2 • Dividing (with the same base): Subtract the powers.
5-2=x 32 ÷ 38 = 3-6
Subtracted Add 3=x–6 • Power of a power: Multiply the powers.
+6 +6 (32)3 = 36
3 + 6 =x • Negative powers: Put the number on the opposite side of
Multiplied Divide 2= 4x the fraction & the power becomes positive.
4 4 3-2 = 1/32 and 1/8-2 = 82
2/4 = x
Divided Multiply 2·6=x·2 Calculations with scientific notation:
2 • Adding (with same power of 10): Add numbers and keep
2·6=x power of 10.
2 × 103 + 3 × 103 = 5 × 103
• Subtracting (with same power of 10): Subtract numbers
Calculations with Significant Figures and keep power of 10.
3 × 103 – 1 × 103 = 2 × 103
Adding & Subtracting: • Multiplying: Multiply numbers & add powers of 10.
1. Perform the calculation. 2 × 106 · 3 × 103 = 6 × 1018
2. Determine which value in the problem has least • Dividing: Divide numbers & subtract powers of 10.
decimal places. 2 × 106 ÷ 3 × 103 = 0.67 × 103
3. Round answer to that number of decimal places. • Taking it to a power: Take the number to the power and
Example: 10.027 g → 3 decimal places multiply the power of 10 by the power.
- 1.5 g → 1 decimal place (2 × 103)3 = 8 × 109
8.527 g → 8.5 g (1 decimal place) • Roots: Take the number to the root and divide the power of
10 by the root.
Multiplying & Dividing: √(3 × 102) = √3 × 101
1. Perform the calculation. Trigonometric Functions
2. Determine which value in the problem has least sig fig
3. Round answer to that number of sig. figures. Opposite ⎛ Opposite ⎞
sin θ = θ = sin-1 ⎜ ⎟
Example: 10.027 g → 5 sig figs Hypotenuse ⎝ Hypotenuse ⎠
1.50 mL → 3 sig figs
Adjacent -1 ⎛ Adjacent ⎞
= 6.6847 g/mL → 6.68 g/mL (3 sig figs) cos θ = θ = cos ⎜ ⎟
Hypotenuse ⎝ Hypotenuse ⎠
Scientific Notation Opposite -1 ⎛ Opposite ⎞
tan θ = θ = tan ⎜ ⎟
Adjacent ⎝ Adjacent ⎠
Scientific Notation—A short hand method of writing
numbers using powers of 10. To remember the functions use: SOHCAHTOA
Quadratic Equation
Writing scientific notation:
1. The decimal point is always moved to after the 1st non- -b ±
2
b - 4ac
zero number. When ax2 + bx + c =0, x=  
2a
2. Count the number of times the decimal point is moved 2
Example: 1x + 5x - 8 = 0
and use this as the power of 10.
3. “Big” numbers (>1) have positive exponents. “Small”
numbers (<1) have negative exponents. -5 ± 52 - 4(1)(-8)
Examples: 1027500.456 → 1.027500456 × 106 Then: x=  
2(1)
0.0007543 → 7.543 × 104
x = 6.27 and x = -1.27
Reading scientific notation:
Note: There are two solutions but they may not both make
1. Power of 10 = number of times to move decimal point.
physical sense , for example time cannot be negative
2. Positive powers = make the number “Big” (>1).
Negative exponents = make the number “Small” (<1). Calculator Survival
Examples: 3.25 × 10-6 → 0.00000325 • Always use the ÷ key to designate a number is on the
7.2004 × 104 → 7200.4 bottom of an expression.
• Always use the EE (or EXP) key to enter scientific notation.
• Always use parenthesis around addition or subtraction when
combining it with other operations
• To make something negative (when taking the number to a
power) keep the negative outside of the parenthesis.
How to Use This Cheat Sheet: These are the keys related this topic. Try to read through it carefully twice then write it out on a
blank sheet of paper. Review it again before the exams.

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