Friday, July 17, 2020

What to Read Before and After Surgery

What to Read Before and After Surgery Surgery can bring out a lot of emotions in both the patient and their loved ones. Between anxiety and fear before surgery, pain and exhaustion following surgery, and frustration and boredom during the recovery process, it’s an incredibly stressful experience. While your body heals, some comfort reading might be just what you need to soothe your mind and spirit. These suggestions of what to read before and after surgery may come in handy if you’re preparing to go under the knife, or if you’re trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one. I recently had surgery to repair a broken ankle, and it’s been a long and grueling process. When told I wouldn’t be able to put any weight on my leg for three months after surgery, I tried to find a bright side. Months on the couch means plenty of time for reading, right? Wrong. I’ve actually fallen behind in my reading since I broke my ankle, even though I’ve had nothing but free time. Between the pain, anxiety about surgery, and decreased attention span from the pain medication, it’s been hard to keep up my usual reading pace. But I’ve figured out what can keep my attention and provide me some comfort. Now, I’m here to share some ideas for any other readers looking at a long recovery process. What to Read Before Surgery I had a week and a half between the time I broke my ankle and the surgery to repair it. During that time, I was on pain medication that made it really hard for me to focus on reading. I was also stressed about the surgery and what my life would look like afterwards. So the best books for this period were fast paced, easy to absorb, and great at world building. Avoid anything focused on the health care industry or the ways things can go wrong. Science Fiction and Fantasy Books that can take your mind to a world far from your pain and stress are a must. Look for science fiction and fantasy books with great world building and fast-paced action. Just avoid SFF that’s too complex or hard to follow if that’s not usually your thing, as it might lead to some frustration. Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor is a great pick that takes you to another planet with very different problems from your own. Binti is a young woman with a talent for math and for “harmonizing,” or negotiating peace. She’s selected to attend a prestigious university on another planet, but before her ship arrives, it’s invaded by an alien species that kills everyone on boardâ€"except her. Another great option is reading short story collections, especially if you’re having trouble focusing. Shorter story arcs might be easier to complete, and if one isn’t capturing your attention, you can simply skip to the next one. A People’s Future of the United States, edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams, is a great new collection with stories from some of the biggest names in SFF, including N.K. Jemisin, Daniel José Older, Charlie Jane Anders, Justina Ireland, and more. These stories look to a future in the U.S. that is more diverse and inclusive, and they feature some truly badass protagonists pushing back against oppression. Romance When everything in your life (and your body) is stressful and scary, sometimes you need a guaranteed happy ending. That’s why romance novels are a great pick while getting ready for surgery. There may be some bumps in the road, but you know everything will turn out alright. Meet cutes, romantic tropes, and butterflies in the stomach also help create a welcome distraction. Anything by Jasmine Guillory gives me all the romcom vibes I need, like her upcoming book The Wedding Party (July 16, Berkley Books). When two nemeses come together for their mutual best friend’s wedding, they end up having a series of secret sexy rendezvouses. But is their connection more than physical? Retellings of classic novels are another great choice. If you’ve read the book that inspired a retelling, you probably have a pretty good idea of where it’s headed. For example, Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin is a modern Muslim retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Ayesha and Khalid have an undeniable connection. But when Khalid’s mother arranges an engagement to Ayesha’s cousin Hafsa, all three must decide between what they believe and what their hearts tell them. Comics and Graphic Novels When you’re low on energy and struggling to focus, comics and graphic novels may provide the change of pace you need. They’re visually engaging and if you’re on pain medication, they may be easier to focus your eyes on than a page full of words. Try fast-paced superhero comics, or if that’s not your speed, a heartwarming story like Bingo Love by Tee Franklin, Jenn St. Onge, Joy San, and Cardinal Rae. Hazel and Mari fell in love as teenagers but were pulled apart by their families and society. Fifty years later, they meet again at the bingo hall where they first kissed and find that life has given their love a second chance. What to Read After Surgery Some of the pre-op books suggested above are also great immediately after surgery. You’ll still be experiencing some pain and frustration, and your attention span may still be short. So feel free to keep up your SFF, Romance, and Comics reading after you’ve returned home. Here are some additional ideas as you continue to heal. Comforting Classics Right after surgery, it’s especially crucial to get your mind off of the pain and find a happy place. Reread books that bring you joy and happy memories. It’s also nice to already know where the plot is headed in case you have trouble focusing. If you’re struggling to read printed or ebooks, try mixing up the format with audiobooks. When I was at the peak of pain after returning home, I couldn’t focus my eyes on a book, so I found a new audio version of an old favorite: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, narrated by Tituss Burgess. The voice of an actor I love bringing new life to familiar characters was just what I needed to get my mind off the pain. Funny Memoirs and Essay Collections It sounds cheesy, but laughter really is the best medicine. Nothing helped me forget the pain and discomfort I was in like a good belly laugh. Samantha Irby is one of my favorite funny authors, and her memoirs Meaty and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life are absolutely delightful. She’s also able to make light of her own chronic pain and physical ailments in a way that may bring some comfort. Celebrity memoirs are another great choice during recovery, particularly memoirs from funny stars. If the author narrates the audiobook, even better. The familiar voice of a celebrity you admire telling their story in their own words may be just what the doctor ordered. The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Hollywood couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman is a hilarious memoir of their relationship. It’s heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny, giving you all the good feels to get well soon. What to Read While You Recover Once you’re past the worst part of post-surgery pain, you may be ready to read something that requires a bit more focus. As cabin fever starts to set in, you’ll want something more challenging. Or maybe something that will help you feel like you’re anywhere else besides the couch. Mystery/Thriller The twists and turns of a mystery/thriller take a little more energy to keep up with, but they’ll also provide a great escape from the arduous recovery process. If you’re tired of the tedium of bed rest, try something full of intrigue and adventure. American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson is a fantastic new historical spy novel set during the Cold War. Marie is an intelligence officer with the FBI, making her way in a sexist and racist old boys’ club. When she’s sent undercover to Burkina Faso to help take down a revolutionary president, everything she knows about being a spy changes. Fiction in Far Away Places If you can’t go far from home during your recovery, read books set far from home. Reading about distant places well help you pretend youre anywhere but your bed. Check out books that will transport you. To travel across the world and through time, try historical fiction set in a different country. Set in 1930s Malaysia, The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo is just what you need to mix things up. As rumors spread about men turning into tigers, a dancehall girl and an orphan boy cross paths and find their fates are intertwined. Health Care Nonfiction Before surgery, stay far away from anything related to hospitals or medical care. But once you’re past the worst of your pain and the risk of complications, you may be interested in reading more about what you experienced. Unfortunately, I read  Anesthesia: The Gift of Oblivion and the Mystery of Consciousness by Kate Cole-Adams a while before surgery, and therefore spent some days terrified of what could go wrong when the anesthesiologist put me under. However, it’s a fascinating study of what we do and don’t know about consciousness and anesthesia. After your surgery has (hopefully) gone as planned, this book might help you learn more about what happened while you were asleep. Memoirs about chronic pain, health challenges, and death may provide surprising clarity as you recover. Learning about other health journeys can help you learn tactics for recovery and appreciation for the care you’ve received. I gained a lot of perspective from Julie Yip-Williams’ memoir The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything That Comes After. Yip-Williams was born blind in Vietnam. She spent much of her life pushing back against the stereotypes placed on her because of her disability. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, she reflected on how health, access to care, and grief affected her life. If you’re preparing for surgery, good luck! If you’re recovering from surgery, I hope you have the time and energy to enjoy a good book. And if you’re shopping for a loved one with a recovery ahead of them, I hope this list gave you some great ideas for reading material. You might enjoy these other articles from Book Riot: Tips and Tricks for Reading When You’re Sick Books I’m Reading to Better Understand Illness and Death 50 Books to Read If You Love Medicine

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a key component of the civil rights movement that seeks to enforce the Constitutions guarantee of every Americans right to vote under the 15th Amendment. The Voting Rights Act was designed to end discrimination against black Americans, particularly those in the South after the Civil War. Text of the Voting Rights Act An important provision of the Voting Rights Act reads: No voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure shall be imposed or applied by any State or political subdivision to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color. The provision reflected the 15th Amendment of the Constitution, which reads: The right of U.S. citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. History of the Voting Rights Act President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965. The law made it illegal for Congress and state governments to pass voting laws based on race and has been described as the most effective civil rights law ever enacted. Among other provisions, the act prohibited discrimination through the use of poll taxes and the application of literacy tests to determine whether voters could take part in elections. It is widely regarded as enabling the enfranchisement of millions of minority voters and diversifying the electorate and legislative bodies at all levels of American government, according to The Leadership Conference, which advocates for civil rights. Legal Battles The U.S. Supreme Court has issued several major rulings on the Voting Rights Act. The first was in 1966. The court initially upheld the constitutionality of the law. Congress had found that case-by-case litigation was inadequate to combat wide-spread and persistent discrimination in voting, because of the inordinate amount of time and energy required to overcome the obstructionist tactics invariably encountered in these lawsuits. After enduring nearly a century of systematic resistance to the Fifteenth Amendment, Congress might well decide to shift the advantage of time and inertia from the perpetrators of the evil to its victims. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a provision of the Voting Rights Act that required nine states to get federal approval from the Department of Justice or a federal court in Washington, D.C., before making any changes to their election laws. That preclearance provision was originally set to expire in 1970 but was extended numerous times by Congress. The decision was 5-4. Voting to invalidate that provision in the act were Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel A. Alito Jr. Voting in favor of keeping the law intact were Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. Roberts, writing for the majority, said that portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was outdated and that the conditions that originally justified these measures no longer characterize voting in the covered jurisdictions. Our country has changed. While any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions. In the 2013 decision, Roberts cited data that showed turnout among black voters had grown to exceed that of white voters in most of the states originally covered by the Voting Rights Act. His comments suggest that discrimination against blacks had diminished greatly since the 1950s and 1960s. States Impacted The provision struck down by the 2013 ruling covered nine states, most of them in the South. Those states are: AlabamaAlaskaArizonaGeorgiaLouisianaMississippiSouth CarolinaTexasVirginia End of the Voting Rights Act The Supreme Courts 2013 ruling was decried by critics who said it gutted the law. President Barack Obama was sharply critical of the decision. I am deeply disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision today. For nearly 50 years, the Voting Rights Act – enacted and repeatedly renewed by wide bipartisan majorities in Congress – has helped secure the right to vote for millions of Americans. Today’s decision invalidating one of its core provisions upsets decades of well-established practices that help make sure voting is fair, especially in places where voting discrimination has been historically prevalent. The ruling was praised, however, in states that had been overseen by the federal government. In South Caroline, Attorney General Alan Wilson described the law as an extraordinary intrusion into state sovereignty in certain states. This is a victory for all voters as all states can now act equally without some having to ask for permission or being required to jump through the extraordinary hoops demanded by federal bureaucracy. Congress was expected to take up revisions of the invalidated section of the law in the summer of 2013.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Charles Murray And Ken Robinson - 1226 Words

Both Charles Murray and Ken Robinson have their opinions on what the major flaws are in the education system. Murray s problem lies with the false accreditation of the BA, while Robinson s problem revolves around the killing of creativity in schools. Murray and Robinson s opinions are certainly different, however, they both share the same ultimate goal regarding education. This goal is to rid the education system of these issues in order to create a more effective system of learning. There are surely many problems with the education system today, and not all of them can be fixed in a short period of time. However, major situations such as this need to be dealt with in order to reach a solution in a timely manner. If both Murray and†¦show more content†¦This goal can be met by building value in creativity , and finding a better way to measure student s skills and knowledge. Finding a better way to measure skills and talents will be key in allowing students to cultivate the ir strengths and passions in life. Standardized testing is not effective for measuring the special talents and skills of students. New and efficient methods of measurement need to be implemented in order for students to recognize their special abilities. Charles Murray had the same thoughts about education. His problems with the education system are that the Bachelors s Degree (BA) is not an accurate representation of a person s overall intelligence. Murray thinks a person s time is better used in apprenticeship than in four unnecessary years in college. Murray believes this false accreditation of the BA has taken the time away from students who have no interest in sitting in class for four years and has ruined the future of people who can simply not afford college. Murray s solution to this problem is to reconstruct the overall worth of the BA, with the help of others. Murray s ultimate goal is to alter the way employer s measure a person s competence in a particular field of wo rk by more carefully considering their skills and talents. Overall, I think what Murray sees as the purpose of education is to teach students fundamental skills while preparing them for

The Argument Against Same-Sex Marriage Free Essays

The notion that for every wrong done there should be penalty to a similar degree is known to people since time immemorial. There was a time when a state did not consider personal injuries to be crimes against society and it was only a matter between two families. At present such matter is taken over by the state and is immensely considered to be criminal behaviour. We will write a custom essay sample on The Argument Against Same-Sex Marriage or any similar topic only for you Order Now If it is proved that one has murdered, he or she is usually sententenced to life imprisonment. But is this penalty appropriate for such a heinous crime? Should capital punishment be reinstated? Do many people deeply support it? There is a well-known quotation widely used in Mahatma Gandhi‘s policy of non-violence which states: â€Å"An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind†. If we respond to every single injury, in our society there would be no need for laws and we could all be primitive again. To put one to death in the electic chair to show that murder is wrong is contradiction in policy that confuses criminals and undermines any criminal deterence capital punishment was intended to have. The most recent FBI data clearly demonstrates that countries with the death penalty actually have higher murder rates than those without. Moreover, study after study has found that the capital punishment is much more expensive than live in prison as the process of it is far more complex than for any kind of crime. The largest costs come at trial stages when it is decided whether or not sentence defendant to death. This shows that countries do not need this extreme threat to prevent crime. The anti-death-penalty morality arguments of some Christians are persuasive to many. It is assumed that God commanded â€Å"You should not murder† and that this is a clear instruction with no exceptions. According to Christians, only God should create and destroy our lives. Opponents of capital punishment vemently believe that execute one using an electric chair is the kind of revenge and human judgment that Jesus so often warned against. Therefore, death penalty is incompatible with a teaching which emphasises forgiveness and compassion that are fundamental tenets of Christianity. Futhermore, some Christians argue that in many countries the imposition of the death penalty is biased against the poor. Since Christian teaching is to support the poor, Christians are highly likely to be called the opponents of death penalty. Some people argue that the death penalty may bring a closure to the victim’s family. They would not have to worry that it could happen to another family. However, some families of murder victims are against it on the moral grounds. They deeply believe that death penalty will do the same damage to families like theirs. It is widely assumed that it would be a better punishment if someone would die repenting and trying to make up for crimes. When people have been killed there is no chance of rehabilitation that makes criminals see their mistakes and there is a possibility that these previously dangerous people will turn into productive citizens that contribute to society and help make life better. The system can make tragic mistakes. No reliable data could show how many people have been executed for crimes that they did not commit. Unfortunately, such errors do occur. A film „The Life of David Galeâ€Å" makes overwhelming impression convincingly demonstrating a life of a man who is found guilty of murder and awaits his execution. The entire movie is designed to show what happens when an innocent man is sententenced – his family, marriage, career and reputation are all destroyed. Another movie based on a similar story is „The Green Mileâ€Å". A giant black man convicted of raping and killing two young girls is sentenced to death. While on the death row, we learn that he is innocent but there is no way to stop his inevitable execution. This proves that if in real life the government makes a mistake putting one to death in the electric chair, innocent people can always be released from prison, however, they can never be brought back from death. Capital punishment is immoral and a violation of natural rights. It is wrong for everyone involved: criminals, victims’ families and the prosecuted innocent. It should be replaced by a safer and more inexpensive option. The death penalty does not guarantee safety for innocent victims, it does not effectively deter crime, and it does not usually give closure to victims’ families. Nothing good comes of hate, and nothing good can ever come from capital punishment. How to cite The Argument Against Same-Sex Marriage, Essays

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Que relacion encuentran entre los tipos de bord Essays

Que relacion encuentran entre los tipos de bordes de placas y la existencia de yacimientos de oro, cobre o plata? Donde estan la placas , al moverse de manera convergente, divergente o transformante, hay mayor numero de yacimientos. En que tipo de relieve se encuentran los depositos de petroleo en el mundo? Relieves Oceanicos: plataformas continentales y dorsales oceanicas. Relieves continentales: llanuras, Montanas y mesetas. Que recursos minerales y energeticos se extraen mas en Mexico? Recursos Minerales: plata: Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Durango y Guanajuato. oro: Guanajuato, Durango y Sonora. hierro: Durango, Colima, Nuevo Leon, Michoacan y Coahuila. cobre: Sonora y Zacatecas sal: Guerrero Negro en Baja California Sur, costas de Sinaloa, Colima, Oaxaca, Istmo de Tehuantepec, Yucatan y Veracruz. azufre: Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Michoacan y Chiapas, Veracruz. Recursos Energeticos: carbon y huila , ga s natural, petroleo, energia ele ctrica 4. D onde se localizan los yacimientos mas importantes? Recursos Minerales Oro: Sudafrica, Estados Unidos, Australia, China, Canada. Diamante: Australia, Congo , Rusia, Republica Sudafricana Plata: Mexico, Peru, Estados Unidos, Australia, Chile. Platino: Comunidad de Estados independientes, Canada, Colombia. Recursos energeticos Electricos: Estados Unidos, China, Japon, Rusia, Canada. Carbon mineral : China, Estados Unidos, India, Australia, Rusia. Energia atomica (Uranio): C anada, Australia , Estados Unidos. Petroleo : Arabia Saudita, Estados Unidos, Iran, China, Mexico. Importancia economica y utilidad en la vida cotidiana. Importancia economica: La econ omia mundial depende mucho de la energia, especialmente del petro leo que representa el 35% de la economia mundial, y los combustibles fosiles el 85%. Los recursos minerales se usan para fabricar multiples productos hoy en dia, por ejemplo: El cuarzo y silicatos produce vidrio; los nitratos y fosfatos se usan para el abono en la agricultura; el yeso se utiliza en la construccion; las piedras preciosas o semipreciosas como los diamantes, topacios, rubies se utilizan para hacer joyas. La mayor parte de los recursos energeticos mundiales provienen de la irradiacion solar de la Tierra - alguna de esta energia ha sido almacenada en forma de energia fosil, otra parte de ella es utilizable en forma directa o indirecta como por ejemplo via energia eolica, hidraulica o de las olas. Utilidad en la vida cotidiana. La vida moderna esta basada de los r ecursos minerales y energeticos, muchos son convertidos en metales. Algunos ejemplo s de uso en la vida cotidiana: espejos, papel aluminio, latas, utensilios de cocina, herramientas, cables electricos, tuberias, monedas, joyas etc. Para cocinar se usan varios tipos de gas, los vehiculos de motor de combustion interna utilizan gasolina y diesel principalmente y algunos emplean gas. center459606900 100889332567600

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

In Which Ways Does Harper Lee Use Outsiders In To Kill A Mockingbird Essays

In Which Ways Does Harper Lee Use Outsiders In To Kill A Mockingbird Essays In Which Ways Does Harper Lee Use Outsiders In To Kill A Mockingbird Paper In Which Ways Does Harper Lee Use Outsiders In To Kill A Mockingbird Paper Essay Topic: Literature The Outsiders To Kill a Mockingbird The Novel To Kill A Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee; one of the younger generation of writers. She was born in 1926 in a town called Monroeville, Alabama. As she grew up she joined a university and began writing her book based on her own background experience. Harper Lee set it in a town called Maycomb; a quiet village just like the one she lived in. Although this place did not exist Harper Lee used her knowledge from her town to create this novel. She based the characters on people in Monroeville and used Scout to narrate the book. Scout was made to be very much like Harper Lee because they both are similar ages and have a similar background making it easier for her to tell the story. Its easier to tell the story because she can describe how prejudice, intolerance, injustice, and courage was built up in her time and reflect it onto Scout. At this time in the American South there was a lot of civil rights made by the people because of the War in 1861-5 making black peoples rights minimal. Although the War took place 70 years before the period in which the book is set its still strong in their mind and making their beliefs very moral. The black people in America in the period when the book was set were very outcast and looked upon very differently from white people. The black people came to America because of the slave trade and were divided into the Southern states because of the issue of slavery. As time passed the Northerners became very unwilling to overlook what they felt to be the evil of slavery in the South. Southerners justified their practise by arguing that the black race was naturally inferior. They told the Africans that they were very lucky to be American Slaves because of the Christianity and civilisation introduced to them. The slave system suffered from brutality and the Southerners thought of them as children who were very ignorant. Because of this the white people thought upon themselves as superior beings and gave a very disliking attitude towards the black people, which has been observed in the book. In To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee uses outsiders to make a social comment about what society wants and what society rejects. Without outsiders in this novel there wouldnt be such an in-depth, intriguing, characteristic, real life novel. In this book outsiders work well because they can make us intrigued and because theyre not insiders people rarely know much about them. Myths and rumours are made up about them, which can change as they are passed down from people giving a sense of mystery about them because no one knows them well enough to tell the truth. In the book there are lots of characters that we want to find out about which keeps us reading on. Outsiders create different emotions for people in Macomb. For the kids, they have their wild imaginations they create monster like people just because it keeps them entertained and excited. The adults tend to have a sense of disgust for them. Through the outsiders we can really see what the characters in Maycomb are like. They help us see what theyre like by acting in their selfish and racist ways and show us how, in this period of time, black people are thought upon because of their alternative lifestyles. One of the outsiders in To Kill A Mockingbird is used a lot in the beginning of the book because of Scouts imagination making her obsessed with someone she hasnt even met. This character is called Arthur Radley (better known as Boo) and he is one of the main characters of the book. Although throughout the beginning of the book we dont really get to see what hes really like, we can build up a picture based on the people of Maycomb and what their beliefs are of him. Boo Radley served as a mystery at the beginning of the story. A man only known to Scout as some kind of monster from the tales gathered by the town gossips over the years. When Scout first found a gift in the tree Jem said Dont you know youre not supposed to even touch the trees over there? Youll get killed if you do. Scouts fictional life, built upon made up stories, served her, Dill and Jem a game to act out. It was not until the story progressed that we see that Boo isnt the strange man that Maycomb folks make him out to be. Near the end of the book we find out that hes a very caring, gentle, calm and maybe even mentally challenged man. But unfortunately for him the townspeople consider him an individual who should be locked up in a mental institution, or a homicidal maniac. Boo Radley was in his house for a very long time, but when he came out, he came out as a man who deserved a lot more credit and respect then anyone had wanted to give him. He deserves credit because of his kind gestures which are made really discreet such as leaving them gifts in the hollow hole in the trunk of the old tree between their houses, and by covering Scout with a blanket when Miss. Maudies house was on fire. In To Kill A Mockingbird another use of outsiders is the Ewell family. The Ewells live in a tiny house near a dump, surrounded by woodland, on the outskirts of Maycomb. The varmints had a lean time of it, the Ewells gave the dump a thorough gleaning every day, and the fruits of their industry made the plot of ground around the cabin look like the playhouse of an insane child, Nobody was quite sure how many children were on the place, showing their lifestyle to be so corrupt that nobody really wanted to go to the dump to see who or what was there. They are made outsiders because no one in Maycomb likes grubby, smelly and poor people. The Ewells are a big family with only a drunk as a father and a big sister to look after them. The father is called Bob and the daughter is called Mayella and they are a very important part of the book. As the book nears the end we see the trial of Tom Robinson who has been accused of raping Mayella. This is a totally different part of the book as it shows the very serious side of Maycomb. Mayella, 19, has accused Tom Robinson of raping her in her home. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed. Tom is a black man who lives in a nigger-nest near to their house. In this scene Harper Lee manages to involve most of the citizens of Maycomb because they appear at the trial. This is the scene were we can find out how outcast and lonely Mayella is. This trial is seen to be her plead for help, showing us the bitterness she has rather than accusing her father, who we know raped her, but by accusing Tom. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird Boo Radley and The Ewells are both outsiders but have been given that status in very different way. Boo is a very sad character that keeps to himself and hides from the public eye. The townspeople of Maycomb caused him to become an outsider because of his lifestyles which did not revolve around the towns stereotypes. Boo Radley was a made an outsider because he made it seem to the towns people he didnt want anything to do with Maycomb. He did this by staying in his house all the time. From the book we can build up the idea that maybe he stays in his house because he was locked up by his parents or that maybe he had a lot of anger that he needed to be kept away. As a result of this the people of Maycomb ended up wanting nothing to do with him. Before Boo was made an outsider he used to be accepted in the town because; he lived in the right place, had a good reputation from his family, but ruined it when he attacked his father. Boo stayed in his house for a very long time and only appeared occasionally in the book when helping Scout. What the people of Maycomb believe about Boo is a very different idea to what he is actually like. Unlike Boo, The Ewells have never been insiders and they didnt bring it on themselves. They have always been looked upon as dirty and horrible people because of their reputations they have built up. They built up these reputations because they lived pretty much outside Maycomb, they live in a dump, their father is a drunk, they have no money and they way they act towards Maycomb folks. Just like the black people of Maycomb the Ewells will always be outsiders. Harper Lee uses outsiders in To Kill A Mockingbird to make a social comment. She constructs them to show the contrast and differences between black and white people in her time and how society rejects and how society accepts. She manages to use them well in her novel by getting the message across about moral issues. She shows us the different people and how their own personalities, beliefs and politics, lead to them being made into outsiders.

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Systems of Equations in SAT Math Algebra Prep and Practice

Systems of Equations in SAT Math Algebra Prep and Practice SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Sure, you’ve done your paces on single variable equations and now they’re no problem, but what do you do when presented with multiple equations and multiple variables at once? These are what we call â€Å"systems of equations† and, luckily for us, they are extremely predictable types of problems with multiple methods for solving them. Depending on how you like to work best, you can basically choose your own adventure when it comes to system of equation problems. But before you choose the method that suits you (or the individual problem) best, let’s look at all the various options you have available as well as the types of questions you’ll see come test day. These questions will always show up once or twice on any given test, so it's best to understand all the strategies you have at your disposal. This will be your complete guide to systems of equations questions- what they are, the many different ways for solving them, and how you’ll see them on the SAT. What Are Systems of Equations? Systems of equations are a set of two (or more) equations which have two (or more) variables. The equations rely on each other and can be solved only with the information that each provides. The majority of the time on the SAT, you will see a system of equations that involves two equations and two variables, but it is certainly not unheard of that you will see three equations and/or a three variables, in any number of combinations. Systems of equations can also be solved in a multitude of ways. As always with the SAT, how you chose to solve your problems mostly depends on how you like to work best as well as the time you have available to dedicate to the problem. The three methods to solve a system of equations problem are: #1: Graphing#2: Substitution#3: Subtraction Let us look at each method and see them in action by using the same system of equations as an example. For the sake of our example, let us say that our given system of equations is: $$2y + 3x = 38$$ $$y - 2x = 12$$ Solving Method 1: Graphing There will only ever beonesolution for the system of equations, and that one solution will be the intersection of the two lines.In order to graph our equations, we must first put each equation into slope-intercept form. If you are familiar with lines and slopes, you know that slope intercept-form looks like: $y = mx + b$ So let us put our two equations into slope-intercept form. $2y + 3x = 38$ $2y = -3x + 38$ $y = {-3/2}x + 19$ And $y - 2x = 12$ $y = 2x + 12$ Now let us graph each equation in order to find their point of intersection. Once we graphed our equation, we can see that the intersection is at (2, 16). So our final results are: $x = 2$ and $y = 16$ Solving Method 2: Substitution In order to solve our system of equations through substitution, we must isolate one variable in one of the equations and then use that found variable for the second equation in order to solve for the remaining variable. For example, we have two equations, $2y + 3x = 38$ $y - 2x = 12$ So let us select just one of the equations and then isolate one of the variables. In this case, let us chose the second equation and isolate our $y$ value. $y - 2x = 12$ $y = 2x + 12$ Next, we must plug that found variable into the second equation. (In this case, because we used the second equation to isolate our $y$, we need to plug in that $y$ value into the first equation.) $2y + 3x = 38$ $2(2x + 12) + 3x = 38$ $4x + 24 + 3x = 38$ $24 + 7x = 38$ $7x = 14$ $x = 2$ And finally, you can find the numerical value for your first variable ($y$) by plugging in the numerical value for your second variable ($x$) into either equation. $2y + 3x = 38$ $2y + 3(2) = 38$ $2y + 6 = 38$ $2y = 32$ $y = 16$ Or $y - 2x = 12$ $y - 2(2) = 12$ $y - 4 = 12$ $y = 16$ Either way, you have found the value of both your $x$ and $y$. Again, $x = 2$ and $y = 16$ Solving Method 3: Subtraction As the last method for solving systems of equations, you can subtract one of the variables completely in order to find the value of the second variable. We do this by subtracting one of the entire equations from the other, complete, equation. Do take note that you can only do this if the variables in question (the one you wish to eliminate) are exactly the same. If they are NOT the same, then we must first multiply the entire equation by the necessary amount in order to make them the same. In the case of our two equations, none of our variables are equal. $2y + 3x = 38$ $y - 2x = 12$ In this case, let us decide to subtract our $y$ values and cancel them out. This means that we must first make them equal by multiplying our second equation by 2, so that both $y$ values match. $2y + 3x = 38$ $y - 2x = 12$ Becomes: $2y + 3x = 38$ (This first equation remains unchanged) And $2(y - 2x = 12)$ = $2y - 4x = 24$ (The entire equation is multiplied by 2) And now we can cancel out our $y$ values by subtracting the entire second equation from the first. $2y + 3x = 38$ - $2y - 4x = 24$ $3x - -4x = 14$ $7x = 14$ $x = 2$ Now that we have isolated our $x$ value, we can plug it into either of our two equations to find our $y$ value. $2y + 3x = 38$ $2y + 3(2) = 38$ $2y + 6 = 38$ $2y = 32$ $y = 16$ Or $y - 2x = 12$ $y - 2(2) = 12$ $y - 4 = 12$ $y = 16$ Our final results are, once again, $x = 2$ and $y = 16$. Though there are many ways to solve your problems, don't let this knowledge overwhelm you; with practice, you'll find the best solving method for you. No matter which method we use to solve our problems, a system of equations will either have one solution- meaning that each variable will have a numerical value attached- no solution, or infinite solutions. In order for a system of equations to have infinite solutions, each system is actually identical. This means that they are the same line. In order for a system of equations to have no solution, the $x$ values will be equal when the $y$ values are set to 1 (which means that both variables- $x$ and $y$- will be equal). The reason this is true is that it will result in two parallel lines, as the lines will have the same slope. The system has no solution because the two lines will never meet and therefore have no point of intersection. For instance, Because our system will have no solution when both our $y$ values and our $x$ values are equal, this means that there will be no solution where we have eliminated both our variables by canceling them out. In this case, the most expedient solution to this problem will be subtraction. Why? We can see this because the two $x$ values ($2x$ and $4x$) are multiples of one another, so we can easily multiply one equation in order to equal them out. $2x - 5y = 8$ $4x + ky = 17$ Now, let us multiply the top equation in order to equal out our $x$ values. So the system pair, $2(2x - 5y = 8)$ $4x + ky = 17$ Becomes, $4x - 10y = 16)$ - $4x + ky = 17$ $-10y - ky = -1$ In order to have NO solution, our two $y$ values must balance out to zero. So let us set our two $y$ values equal to one another: $-10y - ky = 0$ $-ky = 10y$ $k = -10$ Our $k$ valuemust be -10 in order for our system of equations to have no solution. Our final answer is A, -10. [Note: don’t fall for the bait answer of +10! You are still subtracting your system of equations, so keep close track of your negatives.] Also, if it is frustrating or confusing to you to try to decide which of the three solving methods â€Å"best† fits the particular problem, don’t worry about it! You will almost always be able to solve your systems of equations problems no matter which method you choose. For instance, you could have also chosen to graph this question. If you had done so, you would first have to put each equation into slope-intercept form: $2x - 5y = 8$ $4x + ky = 17$ $2x - 5y = 8$ $-5y = -2x + 8$ $y = 2/5(x) + 8$ And $4x + ky = 17$ $ky = -4x + 17$ $y = {-4/k}(x) + 17$ Now, we know a system of equations will have no solution only when each variable balances out to zero, so let us equate our two $x$ variables in order to solve for $k$. $2/5(x) = {-4/k}(x)$ $2/5 = {-4}/k$ ${2k}/5 = -4$ $2k = -20$ $k = -10$ Again, our $k$ value is -10. Our final answer is A, -10. As you can see, there is never any â€Å"best† method to solve a system of equations question, only the solving method that appeals to you the most. All roads lead to Rome, so don't stress yourself by trying to find the "right" solving method for your systems problems. Typical Systems of Equations Questions Most systems of equations questions on the SAT will let you know that it IS a systems of equations by explicitly using the words â€Å"systems of equations† in the question itself. (We will walk through how to solve this question later in the guide) Other problems will simply present you with multiple equations with variables in common and ask you to find the value of a one of the variables, or even a combination of the variables (such as the value of $x + y$ or $x - y$). (We will walk through how to solve this question later in the guide) And finally, the last type of systems of equation question will ask you to find the numerical value of a variable in which there is NO solution, as with the example from earlier. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! Strategies for Solving Systems of Equations Questions All systems of equations questions can be solved through the same methods that we outlined above, but there are additional strategies you can use to solve your questions most accurately and expediently. #1: To begin, find the variable that is already the most isolated The ultimate goal is the find the value of all the variables, but we can only do this by finding one variable to start with. The easiest way to solve for this one variable isolate (or eliminate) the variable that has the fewest coefficients or is seemingly the most isolated. For instance, $5x - 3y = -13$ $2x + y = 19$ If we are using substitution, it is easiest for us to first isolate the $y$ value in our second equation. It is already the most isolated variable, as it does not have any coefficients, and so we will not have to deal with fractions once we replace its value in the first equation. If, on the other hand, we were using subtraction, it is still best to target and eliminate our $y$ values. Why? Because we have $3y$ and $y$, which means that we only have to multiply the second equation by 3 in order to match up our $y$ values. If we were to target and eliminate our $x$ values, we would have to multiply both equations- the first by 2 and the second by 5- in order to make our $x$ values match. Though you can always find your solutions no matter which variables you choose to isolate or eliminate, it's always nice to save yourself the time, energy, and hassle (not to mention avoid possible mistakes) by going for the easy pickings first. #2: Practice all three solving methods to see which one is most comfortable to you The best way to decide which system of equation solving method suits you the best is by practicing on multiple problems (though it will help your flexibility if you can become comfortable using all the solving methods available, even if one or two suit you better than the other(s)). When you test yourself on systems questions, try to solve each one using more than one method in order to see which one is most comfortable for you personally. #3: Use subtraction for questions that require finding more than just one variable Most â€Å"multiple variable solve† systems of equations questions will ask you to find $x + y$ or $x - y$, which will almost always be most easily found via the subtraction method. It is also most useful to use the method of subtraction when we have three or more variables, especially when it is a combination of multiple variables AND three or more variables. We will see this kind of problem in action in the next section. Ready to tackle your systems problems and put your strategies to the test? Test Your Knowledge Now let us test your system of equation knowledge on real SAT math questions. 1. 2. 3. Answers: 300, E, 12 Answer Explanations: 1. As we outlined in our strategy section, it is almost always easiest to find the value of multiple variables by using the method of subtraction (though, again, it is not the only way). We are restricted somewhat, though, as we have three variables and only two equations. Why is this important? Well, we can find the individual values for each variable if we have the same number of equations as we have variables, but in this case we do not. This means we need to use a solution that will give us $x + y$, since we cannot find the value of $x$ or $y$ alone. So let us use subtraction. To do this, we must subtract like variables and, luckily for us, both equations have a single $x + y$ value. This means we can isolate our variable $z$. $x + y + 3z = 600$ $x + y + z = 400$ So let us subtract them. $x + y + 3z = 600$ - $x + y + z = 400$ - $2z = 200$ $z = 100$ Now that we have the value of $z$, we can replace it in either of the equations in order to find the value of $x + y$. Because it is always easiest to use the most isolated variable (less math involved for us!), let us our second equation to plug in our $z$ value into. $x + y + z = 400$ $x + y + 100 = 400$ $x + y = 300$ Our final answer for the value of $x + y$ is 300. Do note, however, that if you would much prefer to use substitution, you can definitely do so. Because we are trying to find $x + y$, let us isolate it as our wanted variable in one of our equations. $x + y + 3z = 600$ $x + y + z = 400$ Let us use our first equation. $x + y + 3z = 600$ $x + y = 600 - 3z$ And now we can substitute our $x + y$ value into our second equation. $x + y + z = 400$ $(600 - 3z) + z = 400$ $600 - 2z = 400$ $-2z = -200$ $z = 100$ Now that we have found our value for $z$, we can plug it into either equation to find the numerical value for our $x + y$. Let us use the second equation to do so. Why the second? Because each value is already the most isolated and so will be easiest to work with, but each question will work either way. $x + y + z = 400$ $x + y + 100 = 400$ $x + y = 300$ Again, our final answer is $x + y = 300$ As you can see, any method will suit you- it just depends on how you like to work. 2. Again, though not the only way to solve our problem, it is easiest to use subtraction when we have three or more variables in our equations or we are trying to find a combination of variables (in this case, the value of $y + z$). In this case, we have both, so let us use subtraction. $3x + 2y + 2z = 19$ $3x + y + z = 14$ Our $x$ values are identical, so let us simply subtract the second equation from the first. $3x + 2y + 2z = 19$ - $3x + y + z = 14$ - $y + z = 5$ Our final answer is E, $y + z = 5$ 3. In this case, let us use the method of substitution in order to isolate one of our values and plug it into one of the other equations in our system. The equations we are given are: $x = 3v$ $v = 4t$ $x = pt$ $v$ is already isolated, so let us plug it back into our first equation. $v = 4t$ $x = 3v$ $x = 3(4t)$ $x = 12t$ Now, we are also told that $x = pt$, so we can equate the two expressions. $x = 12t$ $x = pt$ $12t = pt$ Because 12 and $p$ both act as coefficients (numbers before a variable) for $t$, we can see that they are equal. This means that $p = 12$ Our final answer is 12. You did it! Balloons and confetti for you! The Take-Aways As you can see, systems of equations are some of the most versatile problems when it comes to methods for solving them (though the problems themselves are not terribly varied). Though you can solve many problems on the SAT in a variety of ways, most are not quite so flexible, so take heart that you have many choices for how to proceed for your systems of equations questions. Once you practice and familiarize yourself with these types of questions, you’ll find the best method for you- your strengths, and your timing- for taking the test. And pretty soon, you’ll be able to knock out systems of equations questions in multiple ways, blindfolded, and with hands behind your back (though why you would want to is, frankly, anyone’s guess). What’s Next? Systems were a snap, you say? You're ready for math problems, you say? Well lucky you! We have more math guides than you can shake a stick at, all of which cover crucial aspects of the SAT math section. Lines and angles, polygons, integers, ratios...any topic you need to brush up on is at your fingertips, so make the best of your study time and energy and target any of your known problem areas before test day. Want to know the most valuable strategies for SAT math problems? Check out our guides on plugging in answers and plugging in numbers to help finesse the vast majority of your SAT math questions. Looking to get a perfect score? Look no further than our guide to getting a perfect 800 on the SAT math section, written by a perfect-scorer. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Math strategy guide, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial: