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Free FE Practice Test

PrepFE™
Free FE Electrical and Computer Example Practice Problems
We've selected 10 diverse practice problems from our question bank that you can use to review for the
Electrical and Computer engineering FE exam and give you an idea about some of the content we provide.

1) Obtain the homogenous solution to the differential equation that yields the
voltage, v (t) across the capacitor in the series RLC circuit.
C

iL (0) = 0.25A and v C (0) = 0 .

◯ A. e
−
1

2
t
V
◯ B. e
−
1

2
t
sin
1
t + cos
1
t V
2 2

◯ C. sin
1
t V
2

◯ D. e
−
1

2
t
sin
1
t V
2

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2) A magnetic field has the vector field B⃗ = 10yi + 2yj − mzk .

The constant "m" is most nearly:

◯ A. −2
◯ B. 4
◯ C. 0
◯ D. 2

3) In the circuit shown, find the power absorbed by the dependent source.

◯ A. −67.7W
◯ B. 67.7W
◯ C. 1690W
◯ D. −1690W

4) Pipelining improves CPU performance by enabling the processor to:

◯ A. reduce memory access time.

◯ B. perform parallel processing.
◯ C. increase clock speed.
◯ D. increase the number of functional units.

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5) For the given circuit, R 1 = R3 = 5kΩ . Determine R and R to obtain a gain

2 4

of 10.

◯ A. R 2 = 25kΩ, R 4 = 25kΩ

◯ B. R 2 = 10kΩ, R 4 = 15kΩ

◯ C. R 2 = 5kΩ, R 4 = 5kΩ

◯ D. R 2 = 20kΩ, R 4 = 25kΩ

6) For the system shown in the figure, compute the peak value time:

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◯ A. 0.726s
◯ B. 5.111s
◯ C. 1.231s
◯ D. 0.940s

7) A communication line uses a shield twisted pair (STP) cable that has a velocity
factor of 0.7. What is most nearly the wavelength of a 2 GHz signal traveling on
the STP cable?

◯ A. .105m
◯ B. .420m
◯ C. 1.05m
◯ D. 2.02m

8) A pair of line of sight communication antenna towers are to be constructed, each

at a height of 100m.
The radio horizon is defined as the distance for which propagating electromagnetic
waves are locally tangent to the Earth's surface.
For an antenna in nominal weather conditions this is,
−
− −
dkm = 4.1√h m

Where h is the antenna height and d

m km is the radio horizon in km.

What is the minimum propagation delay if the two towers are at the maximum
separation from one another?

◯ A. 273.33μs

◯ B. 341.15μs

◯ C. 120.55μs
◯ D. 65.23μs

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9) Simplify the following expression:

¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯
¯
¯
(AB)(A + B)(B̄ + B)

◯ A. ¯
A

◯ B. B̄

◯ C. ¯
A B̄

◯ D. ¯
A + B̄

10) A balanced three phase Y connected source has, using a positive phase
sequence, V ⃗ = 120∠30 V . Find the V ⃗ .
an
∘
rms bn

◯ A. 120∠30 Vrms
∘

◯ B. 90∠ − 90 Vrms
∘

◯ C. ∘
120∠90 Vrms
◯ D. 120∠ − 90 Vrms
∘

Solutions

1) Obtain the homogenous solution to the differential equation that yields the
voltage, v (t) across the capacitor in the series RLC circuit.
C

iL (0) = 0.25A and v C

(0) = 0 .

A. e
−
1

2
t
V
B. e
−
1

2
t
sin
1
t + cos
1
t V
2 2

C. sin
1
t V
2

D. e
−
1

2
t
sin
1
t V
2

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The correct answer is D.

Explanation:
Refer to the Differential Equations section and the Second-Order Linear Homogeneous Differential
Equations with Constant Coefficients section in the Mathematics chapter of the FE Reference
Handbook.

The homogenous solution is to be obtained. The homogenous solution is when the input function, the
voltage source v (t) in this case, is set equal to 0 . Therefore, we can write the loop equation for the
s

RLC series circuit as,

vL + vR + vC = 0

di L
Express v as v
L L
= L (the voltage across an inductor equation), and express v as v R R
= iL R
dt

(Ohm's Law).
dv C
Now, substitute C for i (the current through the capacitor is the same as the current through the
dt
L

inductor since the elements are in series) to obtain the full homogenous equation in terms of v , C

2
d vC dvC
LC + RC + vC = 0
2
dt dt

Divide through by LC ,
2
d vC R dvC 1
+ + vC = 0
2
dt L dt LC

This is now a second order linear homogenous differential equation with constant coefficients in the
form,
2
r + ar + b = 0

To determine the form of the solution for this second order linear homogenous equation with constant
coefficients, compute if a > 4b, or if a = 4b, or if a < 4b.
2 2 2

(4Ω)
In our circuit, a = R

L
= = 1 , and b = 1
=
1
=
1

2
(4H) LC (4H)(0.5F)

Now determine a and 4b and compare.

2

2 2
a = 1 = 1

1
4b = 4( ) = 2
2

Because a 2
< 4b , the solution will take the form,
αx
y = e (C 1 cos βx + C 2 sin βx)

√ 4b−a2
Where α= – and β =
a

2 2

Compute α,

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a 1
α = − = −
2 2

Compute β ,
−−−−−−−−−
2
−−−−− − √4(0.5) − 1
√4b − a2 1
β = = =
2 2 2

Thus the expression for v C (t) becomes,

1 1 1
− t
vC (t) = e 2 (C 1 cos t + C 2 sin t)
2 2

When t = 0 , v C (0) = 0 = C 1 , then use i to find C as follows,

L 2

iL dvC 1 1 1
− t
= = − e 2 C 1 cos t
C dt 2 2

1 −
1
t
1 1 −
1
t
1 1 −
1
t
1
− e 2
C 1 sin t − e 2
C 2 sin t + e 2
C 2 cos t
2 2 2 2 2 2

Substitute the initial condition at i L (0)

,

i L (0) dvC (0) 1 1

= = − C1 + C2
C dt 2 2

i L (0) 0.25A 1 1 1
= = = − C1 + C2
C 0.5F 2 2 2

Since C is known to be 0 , then C

1 2
= 1 .

Finally, substituting the values for C and C into the expression for v
1 2 C (t) we found earlier yields
the homogeneous solution,

−
1
t
1
vC (t) = e 2
sin t V
2

2) A magnetic field has the vector field B⃗ = 10yi + 2yj − mzk .

The constant "m" is most nearly:

A. −2
B. 4
C. 0
D. 2

The correct answer is D.

Explanation:

Refer to the Electromagnetic Dynamic Fields section in the Electrical and Computer Engineering
chapter of the FE Reference Handbook.
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The divergence of a magnetic field is defined to be 0 by Maxwell's Equations.

∇ ∙ B = 0

Therefore, calculate the divergence and set the expression equal to zero.

The divergence of a vector field is defined as,

∂ ∂ ∂
∇ ∙ V = ( i + k + j) ∙ (V1 i + V2 j + V3 k)
∂x ∂y ∂z

Thus,

d d d
∇ ∙ B = 10yi + 2yj − mzk = 0
dx dy dz

∇ ∙ B = 0 + 2 − m = 0

m = 2

3) In the circuit shown, find the power absorbed by the dependent source.

A. −67.7W
B. 67.7W
C. 1690W
D. −1690W

The correct answer is D.

Explanation:
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Refer to the Power Absorbed by a Resistive Element & Kirchhoff's Laws sections in the Electrical and
Computer Engineering chapter of the FE Reference Handbook.

Begin by writing a KVL (loop) equation for the single loop. Assume the current flows in the clockwise
direction. Note that it will ultimately not matter which direction the current is assumed to flow as shall
be explained at the bottom. This yields,

150V + 0.8vx − 20V = i(10Ω + 50Ω)

Note that the v voltage is equal to (i)(50)Ω (by Ohm's law, the current flowing in the resistor is i
x

and the resistor voltage, v , is defined as the voltage drop across the 50Ω resistor) so it may be
x

substituted directly into the loop equation to yield,

150V + 0.8(50i) − 20V = i(10Ω + 50Ω)

Solving for the unknown, i, produces,

150V − 20V = i60Ω − i40Ω

130V = i20Ω

130V
i = = 6.5A
20Ω

For a source to absorb power, then positive current must flow out of the negative terminal. For the
dependent source, current flows out of the positive terminal. If the current had been assumed to be
counterclockwise, then the current would have been negative and a simple sign reversal would yield
the same result as below.

Thus,

P = I V = −(0.8vx )(6.5A)

We know that v x
= 50Ωi = (50Ω)(6.5A) . Therefore,

P = −[(0.8)(50Ω)(6.5A)(6.5A)]

= −1690W

4) Pipelining improves CPU performance by enabling the processor to:

A. reduce memory access time.

B. perform parallel processing.
C. increase clock speed.
D. increase the number of functional units.

The correct answer is B.

Explanation:
Pipelining is an implementation technique where multiple instructions are overlapped in execution.
The computer pipeline is divided in stages. Each stage completes a part of an instruction in parallel.
The stages are connected one to the next to form a pipe - instructions enter at one end, progress
through the stages, and exit at the other end. Pipelining does not decrease the time for individual
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instruction execution. Instead, it increases instruction throughput. The throughput of the instruction
pipeline is determined by how often an instruction exits the pipeline.

5) For the given circuit, R 1 = R3 = 5kΩ . Determine R and R to obtain a gain

2 4

of 10.

A. R 2 = 25kΩ, R 4 = 25kΩ

B. R 2 = 10kΩ, R 4 = 15kΩ

C. R 2 = 5kΩ, R 4 = 5kΩ

D. R 2 = 20kΩ, R 4 = 25kΩ

The correct answer is D.

Explanation:
Refer to Operational Amplifiers in the FE Reference Handbook.

First, determine the value of R . This can be found from considering the gain provided by the top op-
2
RL
amp. The output load is floating and the load seen by each op-amp is . This can be accounted for in
2

the gain equation by doubling the gain seen across the top op-amp. The input to the negative terminal
of the op-amp across R is 0 . Thus this is a non-inverting amplifier. The gain expression is,
1

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vo R2
= 2 (1 + ) = 10
v1 R1

If R 1
= 5kΩ , then,

R2
2 (1 + ) = 10
5kΩ

Solving for R , 2

R 2 = 20kΩ

The bottom amplifier is connected as an inverting amplifier, whose gain is equal in magnitude and is
given by,

R4
2K = = 10
R3

R4
⇒ K = = 5
R3

Substituting in the given R 3

= 5kΩ ,

R 4 = 25kΩ

6) For the system shown in the figure, compute the peak value time:

A. 0.726s
B. 5.111s
C. 1.231s
D. 0.940s

The correct answer is A.

Explanation:

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Refer to the Control Systems section in the Instrumentation, Measurement, and Control chapter of the
FE Reference Handbook.

The controller plant, G(s), is 25

s(s+5)
.

This is a unity feedback controller. It can be deduced that this is a unity feedback controller from
looking at the classical model of a negative feedback controller, which is shown in the FE Reference
Handbook as depicted in the image and comparing it to our system (noting that G (s) = 1 , 2

H (s) = 1 and L(s) = 0 ).

A unity feedback model is also shown explicitly in the section on Control Systems.

Y (s)
Thus, H (s) = 1 and the closed loop transfer function, T (s), is R(s)
(output over the input) which is,

G(s)
T (s) =
1 + G(s)

Substituting in G(s),
25

s(s+5)
T (s) =
25
1 +
s(s+5)

25
T (s) =
2
s + 5s + 25

This is a second-order control system of the form shown in the handbook,

2
Y (s) K ωn
=
2 2
R(s) s + 2ζ ωn s + ωn

Where,
−−
ωn = √25 = 5

2ζ ωn = 5

Substituting ω and solving for ζ yields,

n

ζ = 0.5

Using the values for ω and ζ, calculate the peak time from,
n

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π
tp =
−−−− −
2
ωn √1 − ζ

π
tp = = 0.726s
−−−−−−
2
5√1 − 0.5

7) A communication line uses a shield twisted pair (STP) cable that has a velocity
factor of 0.7. What is most nearly the wavelength of a 2 GHz signal traveling on
the STP cable?

A. .105m
B. .420m
C. 1.05m
D. 2.02m

The correct answer is A.

Explanation:

Refer to FE Reference Handbook: Lossless Transmission Lines

The wavelength of a sinusoid traveling on a transmission line is given as,

U
λ =
f

For an electromagnetic wave in free space, the velocity of propagation, U , is the speed of light,
c
λ =
f

The velocity factor is the ratio of the velocity of propagation in the medium to that of the wave in free
space (note this relationship is not explicitly given in the FE Reference Handbook),
v
k =
c

Substituting k into the first equation yields,

kc
λ =
f

Now substitute all known values to find the wavelength,

8 m
(0.7)(3 × 10 )
s
λ = = .105m
9
2 × 10 Hz

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8) A pair of line of sight communication antenna towers are to be constructed, each

at a height of 100m.
The radio horizon is defined as the distance for which propagating electromagnetic
waves are locally tangent to the Earth's surface.
For an antenna in nominal weather conditions this is,
−
− −
dkm = 4.1√h m

Where h is the antenna height and d

m km
is the radio horizon in km.

What is the minimum propagation delay if the two towers are at the maximum
separation from one another?

A. 273.33μs
B. 341.15μs

C. 120.55μs

D. 65.23μs

The correct answer is A.

Explanation:

From the given definition of the radio horizon, and the fact these are antennas which must see one
another in order to communicate, we must account for the Earth's curvature.

Since the definition of the radio horizon is such when the propagating waves are tangential to the
Earth's surface, then the maximum distance separation comes from summing the two antenna radio
horizons together, as shown in the figure.

Now, calculate the maximum separation, d , and remember that the formula given in the problem
statement is that d is in km if the antenna height is in m,
−−− −−−
d = 4.1√100 + 4.1√100

d = 41km + 41 km

d = 82 km

The propagation delay is the time it takes for the electromagnetic wave to arrive at the receiver after
being sent by the transmitter. Refer to the Delays in Computer Networks section in the FE Reference
Manual. The propagation speed is the speed of light, c, and the distance is the separation of the
antenna towers.

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distance = speed × time

Thus the minimum propagation delay is that which only accounts for the wave travel time, ignoring all
other electrical or atmospheric effects.

d
= tdelay
c

4
8.2 × 10 m
tdelay = = 0.00027333s
8 m
3 × 10
s

−6
tdelay = 273.33 × 10 = 273.33μs

9) Simplify the following expression:

¯
¯¯¯
¯¯¯
¯
¯ + B)( ¯ + B)
(AB)(A B

A. ¯
A
B. ¯
B
C. ¯ ¯
AB
D. ¯ ¯
A + B

The correct answer is A.

Explanation:

Refer to FE Reference Handbook: Logic Operations and Boolean Algebra

Begin by simplifying with the complement law on (B

¯ + B)
,

¯
B + B = 1

The reduced expression is,

¯
¯¯¯¯
¯¯¯ ¯
(AB)(A + B)

¯
¯¯¯¯
¯¯¯
Apply De Morgan's Law to break AB. We do this because addition does not distribute over
multiplication in Boolean algebra. Consider that while, in general,

a × [b + c] = [a × b] + [a × c]

The addition, however, will not be distributive over multiplication. That is,

a + [b × c] does not, in general, equal [a + b] × [a + c]

Returning to the problem, after applying DeMorgan's Law,

¯ ¯ ¯
(A + B )(A + B)

Distribute the terms to obtain,

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¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯)
(A A + A B + A B + BB

Apply the complement law that a variable ANDed with the NOT of itself is 0 (i.e. B̄B = 0)

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
(A A + A B + A B )

Apply the identity that A ⋅ A = A ,

¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
(A + A B + A B )

Factor out A
¯
,
¯
A (1 + B + B̄ )

Apply complement law one more time to finally obtain,

¯
A

10) A balanced three phase Y connected source has, using a positive phase
sequence, V ⃗ = 120∠30 V . Find the V ⃗ .
an
∘
rms bn

A. 120∠30 Vrms
∘

B. 90∠ − 90 Vrms
∘

C. 120∠90 Vrms
∘

D. 120∠ − 90 Vrms
∘

The correct answer is D.

Explanation:

Refer to the Balanced Three-Phase (3-φ) Systems section in the Electrical and Computer Engineering
chapter of the FE Reference Handbook.

Since the source is balanced, it follows that the magnitudes of all the phase voltages with respect to
neutral are equal,

|Van | = |Vbn | = |Vcn |

Because it is given that this is a positive phase system, we know that V ⃗ bn lags V ⃗an by 120 and V ⃗
∘
cn

lags V ⃗ by 120 .
bn
∘

Since we know the lag between V ⃗ and V ⃗ and that the magnitude of the voltages are equal, we can
bn an

compute V ⃗ directly from the phasor expression,

bn

⃗ ∘ ∘ ∘
V bn = |Van |∠30 − 120 = 120∠ − 90 Vrms

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