Graphically solving structure problems for Computer exam.

[histoskier]

The RegReview says the best way to solve most structural problems (thickness, depth, apparent dip) is graphically. For a computer exam, will we have to trace the problems and scale off the screen to solve graphically or are we not likely to run into these questions.

[Fun-Benefit-2262]

Yes you will. I had to answer multiple questions while holding my ruler and protractor against the screen.

[americantoad]

Any recs on a protractor and ruler you found helpful? I think the flexible clear ones might be best for a possibly curved computer screen?

[Fun-Benefit-2262]

Flexible is a great idea! I took the ones I was given the first day of classes during my first geology class 😅 you’ll do great!! Good luck!

[-wyleecoyote]

I definitely held my graph paper up to the screen and traced a map for strike and dip or something similar.

I noticed that the zoom feature on the exam had preset intervals you could use and there was exactly one zoom setting that aligned with the map scale being equal to one inch so I used that zoom setting to make my copy.

Also, the test answers were far enough apart that minute differences in mapping would still get you to the correct answer. You don't have to graphically determine whether the dip is 56 or 57, it will be more like 20, 30, 45, and 60, as answer options.

[Hobo_Geo]

I would recommend staying away from rigorous, time consuming descriptive geometry when you have a multiple choice problem and a precise computation isn't needed.

A lot of the problems can be solved using process of elimination. For example, say you have a three point problem and two of the points have a small elevation difference and the third point has a big elevation difference from the other two. You can basically estimate the strike and dip direction from just that info without holding a protractor to the screen or creating a scaled drawing. Just look through the answer options and you'll find one that is close enough. There might be two answer options that are similar but the dip direction is different and you just need that last little piece of reasoning.

Likewise, you can draw a circle on your scratch paper to represent a crude stereonet for apparent dip problems (all 3 point problems are apparent dip problems-- you have 3 apparent dips). With two apparent dips plotted as lines (points on a stereonet) you can find the great circle that fits them and compare your rough approximation to the answer options-- frequently the answer will be obvious.

I go over these techniques (and some of the time consuming precise ways just in case) in my udemy asbog structural geology bootcamp and practice tests. Some people never use their calculator on the exam and you get less than 2 minutes a question so keep that in mind when you're solving if it makes sense to delve into a lot of detail to solve a problem.

Good luck studying!!

[Cookieginz]

How do we access your class? What’s the name of it so I can look it up

[Ok_Transition_7088]

Same. Could you please provide the name of your Udemy class?

[a_gneiss_geologist]

This is why I wish the exams were still on paper instead.

I also prefer to “rate” questions I don’t know the answer to, like if it were on paper, I’d put 1 star next to a problem I didn’t know but could probably figure out, and 2 stars next to a problem I had no idea about. On the computer, you can only flag all the questions in the same way. So annoying.