ASTB-E flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Order of operations

Evaluate parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division from left to right, and finally addition and subtraction from left to right.

Average speed, two legs

For equal distances traveled at speeds a and b, average speed is 2ab divided by (a + b); the simple mean of the two speeds gives too high an answer.

Percent change formula

Percent change equals new value minus old value, divided by the old value, times 100; a positive result is an increase and a negative result a decrease.

Combined work rate

If one worker finishes a job in t1 hours and another in t2 hours, working together they finish in 1 divided by (1/t1 + 1/t2) hours.

30-60-90 triangle sides

The sides are in ratio x, x times the square root of 3, and 2x; the shortest side faces the 30-degree angle and the hypotenuse is 2x.

Area of a trapezoid

Area equals one-half the sum of the two parallel bases multiplied by the perpendicular height between them: A = ½(b₁ + b₂)h.

Main idea question

Asks for the central point covering the entire passage; a choice describing only one paragraph or one supporting detail is too narrow to be correct.

Inference question rule

The correct answer must follow from statements actually made in the passage; a true fact from outside the passage that the author never implies is wrong.

Contrast transition words

Words such as however, although, yet, nevertheless, and on the other hand signal that the author is reversing or qualifying the idea just stated.

Vocabulary in context

Substitute each answer choice into the original sentence and reread it; the correct choice preserves the sentence's logic and fits the surrounding context.

Lever balance equation

A lever balances when force times distance from the fulcrum is equal on both sides: F₁d₁ = F₂d₂. A longer effort arm means less force is needed.

Mechanical advantage of pulleys

In a pulley system, mechanical advantage equals the number of rope segments supporting the movable block; more segments mean more lift for the same effort.

Gear direction rule

Two meshed gears always rotate in opposite directions; the smaller gear turns faster, with the speed ratio equal to the inverse ratio of tooth counts.

Pascal's principle

Pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted undiminished throughout it; a larger output piston gives greater force but moves a proportionally shorter distance.

Ohm's law

Voltage equals current multiplied by resistance, V = I × R; current rises as voltage rises and falls as resistance increases in a circuit.

Bank left horizon tilt

When the aircraft banks left, the horizon bar appears tilted with its left end raised, which looks like a clockwise rotation from the pilot's seat.

Nose-up horizon position

In a nose-up attitude the horizon line drops toward the bottom of the instrument window; in a nose-down attitude it rises toward the top.

Attitude indicator layout

A fixed miniature aircraft symbol in the center stays still while the horizon bar and sky-ground background move to show the aircraft's actual attitude.

Standard rate turn

A standard rate turn changes heading at three degrees per second, completing 180 degrees in 30 seconds and a full 360 degrees in two minutes.

Ailerons, elevator, rudder

Ailerons on the wings control roll about the longitudinal axis, the elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis, and the rudder controls yaw about the vertical axis.

Four forces of flight

Lift acts upward, weight downward, thrust forward, and drag rearward; in unaccelerated straight-and-level flight lift equals weight and thrust equals drag.

Nautical mile in feet

One nautical mile equals 6,076 feet, or about 1.15 statute miles; one knot is a speed of one nautical mile per hour.

Port and starboard

Port is the left side when facing forward and carries a red sidelight; starboard is the right side and carries a green sidelight.

Red right returning

When entering a US harbor from seaward, keep red buoys and marks to your starboard side and green marks to port.

Stall and angle of attack

A wing stalls when the angle of attack exceeds its critical value, which can happen at any airspeed and in any attitude, including a steep climb.

UAV tracking lead

Track a moving target by aiming slightly ahead of it along its direction of travel; small continuous corrections outperform large delayed ones.

Dichotic listening task

Different audio cues arrive in each ear; you repeat the cues from the designated ear while still monitoring the other channel for a specified target.

Multi-task attention allocation

Divide attention on a fixed cycle among tracking, monitoring, and response tasks; fixating on one task lets penalties accumulate on the others.

Biographical inventory consistency

The inventory repeats similar questions in different wording; contradictory responses are detected and can lower the validity of the entire score record.

Response set flag

Choosing the same rating option across long runs of items, or endorsing nearly everything, signals careless or exaggerated responding rather than a genuine profile.

Aviation interest inventory

Measures how much you enjoy aviation and naval activities such as flying, ships, and mechanical work; it reflects preference rather than knowledge or ability.

Naval officer trait ratings

Items ask you to rate yourself on leadership, integrity, decisiveness, teamwork, judgment, initiative, and stress tolerance, which together indicate officer fit.