The optimum altitude is not going to increase by 2000ft in the time it takes to climb. To me the question sounds confused. The optimum altitude slowly increases as the aircraft weight reduces and you would normally step climb to above the optimum, say FL350 if the optimum was FL330, then keep that level as the optimum rises through FL350 to about FL370, then step up again to FL390 and repeat the process.
My guess is that the 'optimum altitude' in brackets after FL330 is misleading, and that they mean that you are cruising at FL330, the optimum is FL350 and you are capable of FL370.
Unfortunately I can't help you with the use of table itself. Which aircraft type?
Last edited by Alex Whittingham; 26th Apr 2013 at 08:39.