Electronics Mathematics Quiz
June 1969 Popular Electronics

June 1969 Popular Electronics

June 1969 Popular Electronics Cover - RF CafeTable of Contents

Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Popular Electronics, published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

Don't let the title scare you away from this "Electronic Mathematic Quiz." It appeared in the June 1969 issue of Popular Electronics magazine, and was created by quizmaster Robert Balin. There are no scary equations to complete and no mental calculations to bend your brain. Instead, the "mathematics" required is to recognize physical and electrical signal shapes which are described by common mathematics terms. For instance, a cardioid approximates the electromagnetic radiation pattern of many directional antennas, which may include a parabolic dish. Differentiator and integrator circuits generate distinct waveforms. Phase angles and critical angles are familiar to circuit designers and radio operators. Shape letter "E" will likely be familiar according to its name, although you might not know what it is in the world of electronics.

Electronics Mathematics Quiz

Electronics Mathematics Quiz, June 1969 Popular Electronics - RF CafeBy Robert P. Balin

Many electronic circuits perform mathematical operations that are arithmetic; electronic components and their characteristic curves are often described in terms of the geometric forms they resemble; and electronic technicians use angular measurements to specify signal paths and coverage, as well as the phase relationship of a.c. voltages and currents. Test your knowledge of how mathematics is utilized in electronics by matching mathematical terms (1-10) to the sketches (A-J) of electronic applications.

1. Cardioid _____

2. Critical Angle _____

3. Differentiator _____

4. Dispersion Angle _____

5. Divider _____

6. Doubler _____

7. Integrator _____

8. Paraboloid _____

9. Phase Angle _____

10. Trapezoid _____

 

 

 

See answers below.

Quizzes from vintage electronics magazines such as Popular Electronics, Electronics-World, QST, and Radio News were published over the years - some really simple and others not so simple. Robert P. Balin created most of the quizzes for Popular Electronics. This is a listing of all I have posted thus far.

RF Cafe Quizzes

Vintage Electronics Magazine Quizzes

Vintage Electronics Magazine Quizzes

  

 

Electronics Mathematics Quiz Answers

1-I   A cardioid geometric curve is used to display graphically the typical directional characteristics of a certain type of microphone.

2-H   The critical angle of a transmitted signal is the minimum angle which a wavefront entering the ionosphere can make with a line extending to the center of the earth, and still be reflected back to the earth.

3-J   A differentiator circuit produces an output whose instantaneous values are proportional to the rate of change of the input voltage waveform.

4-B   The dispersion angle of a speaker outlines the limits of sound radiation possible from a given cone design.

5-D   A voltage divider provides an output which is the same proportion of the applied voltage as the divider resistance is of the total resistance.

6-G   A voltage doubler produces a d.c. output which is approximately equal to twice the r.m.s. value of the a.c. input voltage.

7-A   An integrator circuit provides an output voltage which is proportional to the area under the curve representing the input signal voltage waveform.

8-C   A paraboloid is the geometric surface used for microwave transmitting and receiving signal-focusing reflectors.

9-F   The phase angle of an electric current is a measure of the relative time by which it leads or lags the voltage applied to a circuit.

10-E   A trapezoid can be created on an oscilloscope screen to determine the percent modulation of a carrier signal.

 

 

Posted March 27, 2023