Solving Absolute value equations

Solving Absolute value equations Absolute value of any number whether its negative or positive represents only its positive version. Absolute value is actually the distance of the number from the center and is denoted by | |(modulus sign). Hence absolute value is never negative. Absolute value is the magnitude of the number not the sign. Absolute value equation contains the variables and numbers with the absolute value sign in it. Example 1: Solve for the variable x in the equation | x 1| = 5? Solution: Given is the equation |x 1| = 5. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. First step: The absolute value gives two cases; x 1 = 5; x 1 = -5. Adding 1 on both sides of the given equation. (x 1) + 1 = 5 + 1; (x 1) + 1 = -5 + 1 This gives x = 6; x = -4. Hence the solution is x = 6 or -4. Example 2: Solve for the variable x in the equation | x + 6| = 6? Solution: Given is the equation |x + 6| = 6. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is x. First step: The absolute value gives two cases; x + 6 = 6; x + 6 = -6. Subtracting 6 on both sides of the given equation. (x + 6) - 6 = 6 - 6; (x + 6) - 6 = -6 - 6. This gives x = 0; x = -12. Hence the solution is x = 0 or -12.

Should I Go to Hillsdale College

Should I Go to Hillsdale College Carrie earned her bachelors degree in French language and literature from Hillsdale College. She specializes in French tutoring, reading tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Hillsdale College: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Carrie: Hillsdale College is a rural campus, a little over an hour drive from Lansing and Ann Arbor, Michigan. In a quiet residential area, the campus is small, neat, and orderly, and most of the buildings are close to one another. There are plenty of trees to provide shade for studying outside during the early fall and late spring months. The campus is small enough to make walking the usual form of transportation, although many students also enjoy having a bike on campus. I had a car with me, with the exception of my freshman year, which I found helpful for drives to Ann Arbor. On campus I felt completely safe, as I would regularly see campus security patrolling the streets. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Carrie:As a school of 1,300 students, classes are small and professors take an interest in their students achievements, both in the classroom and beyond. I was always able to meet with my professors during office hours. When I was unable to come during their normal times, my professors would schedule appointments with me on an individual basis. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Carrie:There are numerous activitiesto participate in on campus. I was a French language and literature major and a member of a number of clubs and organizations. My freshman year in Olds Dormitory was particularly memorable, as only freshman girls can live in this small residence. I really enjoyed our dorm dances and our get-to-know-campus scavenger hunt. The furniture was also bright and new, which made it fun to make the space your own. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Carrie:The political science, economics, and history majors seem to be among the greatest in number. The biology program is very strong as well. I studied French language and literature and was well supported by my professors. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Carrie:Living in Olds Dormitory, an all-girls freshman dorm, was a wonderful way to make friends. With only 20 girls to a hall and community bathrooms, you cant help but meet and get to know everyone youre living with. The Greek system has a strong presence on campus and several of my close friends joined a house and loved the experience. Though I considered rushing, I ultimately remained an independent and still felt included in campus life. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Carrie:I took advantage of the Career Center during my time and received much help with developing and refining my resume. Hillsdale College does host a number of companies, like Stryker and Enterprise, to recruit graduates. The school also hosts a successful job fair on campus exclusively for independent elementary and high schools looking for highly qualified teachers. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Carrie:The student union is a relatively new building with AJs Caf for coffee and quick meals, the dining room, and a big-screen TV to host movie and game nights. Saga, the only dining room on campus, was designed specifically so that students would come together during meals to meet and discuss ideas, creating a close-knit and thoughtful community culture. The library, while not new, has three levels and plenty of space for individuals and groups to work. Describe the surrounding town. Carrie:The town of Hillsdale is small, but the downtown area becomes more modern each year. I also enjoyed taking the drive to Ann Arbor on the weekends, especially to grab lunch at Zingermans Deli. Hillsdale is small and out of the way, so you will need to get creative on weekends to stay entertained when youre not hard at work. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Carrie:The student body was roughly 1,300 students while I was attending and I enjoyed my class sizes. For the required courses, I was in classes of 30 students. For my major, however, my classes were rarely more than 15 students. There were enough of us for interesting discussions and few enough to give each of us plenty of opportunity to participate. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Carrie:One of my most memorable classes was German 101. As a French major, I took this class because I was interested in learning another language that I had never studied before. Dr. Yaniga treated us beginners with respect and instilled in me a love of the German language. He was clearly passionate about the subject and this showed in his teaching. Dr. Yaniga also kept the class fun and encouraged us to come to the weekly German conversation table. Students at the college are expected to rise to the challenge of thinking independently and deeply about their studies, regardless of whether a course is part of your major or not. It makes for a college filled with interesting and friendly people all seeking to learn more and to have fun while doing it. Check out Carriestutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What to Know About College-Level Math

What to Know About College-Level Math When you go to college, youll more than likely have to take at least one mathematics course as part of your general education requirements. Whether its algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics, the first math classes that you take in college will present new challenges that you may not have faced in high school. Depending on your major and/or any AP credits you may have earned in high school, you might be exempt from certain levels of college math, or you might not have to take any at all! Whether youre looking for an interesting elective to switch things up, or youre facing several more years of math, here are some things to be aware of so you can succeed in college-level math 1. Take a math placement test Your college or university will likely have a placement test to help ensure you are situated in your optimal level of math in this new environment. For example, trigonometry at your new university may mean something different than trigonometry at your old high school. However, if you have earned a sufficient score on a qualifying exam like AP Calculus, AP Statistics, or an SAT Subject Test in Mathematics you may be able to move on to the next math class level immediately. Or, your exam may simply satisfy the mathematics requirement for your school/major. Talk with your advisor to check on what math credits you personally need to complete your college program. [RELATED: 5 Tips for Taking Better Math Notes] 2. Seek insights from upperclassmen about math classes and professors Juniors and seniors at your university will probably have recommendations on which math classes to take and which ones might be less helpful. Their experiences with the campus culture and with their professors can tell you a lot more than what youll get from simply looking at a course title and description. Some professors classes and teaching styles might be better fit for certain students, for instance perhaps certain professors cater best to mathematics majors, while others present material in a way that is more compelling to students studying another major. Furthermore, consider your goals for your field of study. Taking a class like Classroom Practices in Elementary School Mathematics might be great for an education major, whereas Mathematical Cryptology could potentially benefit a computer science major. Consult with upperclassmen in your department to get an idea of what math classes you should take and when. 3. Get subject-specific materials for the classes you take Not only should you bring your textbook, notebook, calculator, and pencils to the class, but think about any additional supplies that might benefit this specific course, like a protractor or a more advanced graphing calculator. Read the syllabus to see what materials the professor lists and recommends. There will probably be assignments every week, along with quizzes and tests every few weeks, so also make sure you have a planner where you can record these tasks and their deadlines. [RELATED: Study Strategies for Math] 4. Remember that professors have office hours For each course you take, there is a separate block of time that your professors schedule each week. During this time, students can come into the office and talk about classwork. Professors want to see you and help with areas of weakness, whether your weakness is differential equations, algorithms, problem solving, etc. Plus, the professors teaching assistants often have meeting times as well, so they can also be great resources for students who need more one-on-one attention outside class time. If you find yourself having scheduling conflicts with a lot of these office hours, you could also consider math tutoring. Your college-level math courses will likely be harder than the math you took in high school, but you have more freedom to choose what classes you take and from whom. Plus, your courses will probably relate more to what you want to focus on as a career. Even though the first math classes you take at your university may challenge you, they will also provide you with a deeper understanding of mathematics, as well as how to be a successful college student. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How to Approach an Admissions Phone Interview

How to Approach an Admissions Phone Interview Interviews are stressful enough, but having to make your first impression over the phone can make things even more difficult. There are so many things to think about when approaching an interview. Your facial expressions, your handshake, your hand gestures, your suit of choice, etc. So much of that goes into what these people think of you, so it would seem like the phone interview makes it impossible for you to get these great things you have to offer across. But fear not; just because you cannot physically be in front of the person does not mean you cannot still send a positive energy over to them. Lets look at one clear benefit you get right off the bat notes. You can write down whatever phrases, questions, and bullet points you like and have them right in front of you the whole time. That is a very reassuring factor of the phone interview, the fact that you can glance down at some helpful reminders whenever you need to. Certainly, that would not be acceptable in an in-person interview. Another comforting aspect is the fact that you dont need to dress up. Being able to relax in sweatpants during this conversation rather than being distracted by the unusual fit of your professional suit can greatly help you. Its these kinds of subtle things that make a big difference in easing your ability to carry a confident and intelligent conversation necessary to nail the interview. With those benefits in mind, its time to figure out how to get your persona across successfully. You may not be able to literally show them your smile and firmly shake their hand, but you can still get those same vibes across. One trick is to smile anyway a genuine, physical smile is effective in making your voice sound friendlier. On top of that, sit up straight instead of lying on your couch or bed. Its okay to be relaxed at home as you do this, but not so relaxed that you lose sight of the interviews importance. Moreover, speak slowly and clearly. Even if you think you are enunciating perfectly, enunciate even more. You dont want to hurt your chances of moving forward just because you didnt speak well enough into the phone. Voices over the phone can easily get muffled and hard to understand, so go out of your way to make yours heard. Additionally, listen very carefully to what the interviewer is saying. If you have trouble hearing them, its okay to ask them to repeat something. Dont worry about feeling the least bit awkward in that situation, because the awkwardness would be a lot worse if you continued on in the conversation without addressing a question correctly. Going along with that, remember that a little silence is okay. If the interviewer pauses after one of your responses, dont panic and feel the need to keep talking. He or she is probably taking notes, so let them take their time. It can certainly be hard to gage these aspects of the conversation when you are not able to see the pe rsons reactions, but keep calm and trust that the conversation is flowing just fine. In the end, a phone interview really gives you some big advantages. Use them to get past the nerves and leave that admissions officer ready to meet you!

Improper Fractions To Mixed Numbers Online Tutoring

Improper Fractions To Mixed Numbers Online Tutoring Improper fraction: - A fraction, whose numerator is greater than or equal to its denominator, is called an improper fraction. Example: -i) 7 / 5, 25 / 12, 181 / 62 etc. (Since the numerator is greater than the denominator) ii) 3 / 3, 4 / 4, 5 / 5, etc. (Since the numerator is equal to the denominator) Note: - If in a fraction, its numerator and its denominator are equal to each other, the value of the fraction is equal to unity (i.e. 1). Mixed fraction: - A mixed fraction consists of two parts: i) Integer ii) A proper fraction. e.g. 4 2 / 3 is a mixed fraction, consisting of an integer (4) and a proper fraction (2 / 3). Converting improper fraction into mixed fraction: -Divide the numerator by the denominator. The quotient of this division is the integral part and the remainder obtained is the numerator of the required mixed fraction. Example 1: - 23 / 4 = Quotient Remainder/ denominator = 5 3 / 4 Note: - on dividing 23 by 4, quotient = 5 and remainder = 3. Similarly 37 / 8 = = Quotient Remainder / denominator= 4 5 / 8 and so on. Example 2: - Change the following improper fractions to mixed fractions: i) 100 / 7 ii) 81 / 11 Solution: -i) 100 / 7 = Quotient Remainder/ denominator = 14 2 / 7 ii) 81 / 11 = Quotient Remainder/ denominator = 7 4 / 11.

How To Improve ISEE Scores

How To Improve ISEE Scores The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is the first of many huge, high-pressure tests your child will take, and giving him/her the right mindset is just as important as ISEE prep. Sure, knowing the ISEE problems and patterns can dramatically improve your score. But, how you motivate your child can make the biggest difference. Dont pressure your child: There is a lot riding on this test. It can determine your childs education all the way through high school and possibly even college. If you bring this up, your childs head is going to start spinning. Dont tell them that they need to perform well on this test or if you dont do well (insert terrible event) will happen. Youre just going to add tons of a pressure, and they could collapse like a house of cards. Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation: You need to find a reason why YOUR CHILD wants to succeed, not why you want him/her to succeed. Tell them that performing well can give them options for schools. Find a reason why they want to attend a certain school maybe its the campus, computer equipment or sports teams. Your child needs to walk into that test, thinking: Okay, if I do well I can go to the school with the really high-tech computers. That would be awesome, instead of: I need to do well to make my mom happy. Thats the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and ultimately thats the difference between a great and mediocre ISEE score. Read up: Before you do anything else, get a study book specific to the level test youre taking. Try to get a basic understanding and familiarize your child with the test questions. Your study book will show you everything you need to know for the test. But, figuring out how to learn it all is the real challenge, and youll need more than a book to do that. Find your starting point: Every student has a different starting point. Some are great at math but struggle with verbal. Take a few practice tests to find your strengths and weaknesses. Then, focus on improving your weaknesses. ISEE tutor: A private tutor is your best chance for success. Its easy to find out where you struggle by taking practice tests, but only a tutor can help you improve in those areas. A tutor can help your child break complex problems down to simple structures. And the right tutor will help students discover the material on their own, which is essential to that ever-so-important intrinsic motivation. Practice: Mimic the test scenario by taking practice tests in the allotted time given. Try to sit down and take a full 2-hour-and-40-minute practice test every Saturday morning. In between these tests, continue working with your tutor on your problematic areas, answering practice questions on your own and reading your study book. After 2-3 months of this, you will see a dramatic improvement in your scores. Time management: You need to understand how much time you have to answer each question. See a test structure overview here to figure out the time per question. If you find yourself taking too much time per question, guess and move on. There is no penalty for guessing. If you take the time to read a question, make sure you at least make a guess because you might not have time to revisit it. Background: The ISEE and the Secondary School Aptitude Test (SSAT) are the two most common standardized admissions tests for private schools. The ISEE has three levels: lower (students currently in grades 4-5), middle (grades 6-7) and upper (grades 8-11). Each test will determine potential acceptance into the following grade. So, 6th graders ISEE score will determine acceptance into 7th grade. The test can only be taken once in a 6-month period, and it lasts 2 hours 20 minutes for the lower level and 2 hours 40 minutes for middle/upper levels. The test has the same five sections at each level: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement and an essay. The questions will vary in difficulty depending on level. The essay prompt will not be scored and only sent to schools you request. Scoring: Youll receive a scaled or raw score (between 760-940), percentile score (comparing you to other students) and a stanine score (abbreviated version of percentile, ranked 1-9 instead of 1-99). But, private schools really focus on your percentile score. If you want to land a seat at a top school, youll need a score in at least the top 85th percentile, at an above average school, youll need a score in the 50-75th percentile.

MAKE COLLEGE ACHIEVABLE AND AFFORDABLE

MAKE COLLEGE ACHIEVABLE AND AFFORDABLE If so, you're not alone. According to The College Board, the annual cost of tuition and fees for in-state students at public four-year colleges and universities averaged more than $5,400 for the 2005-2006 academic year - a 7.1 percent rise from last year. If you're son or daughter is hoping to attend a private four-year college you'll pay an average of over $21,000, nearly 6 percent higher than last year. Even if you started saving years ago, you're probably going to need some assistance in the form of scholarships, grants and loans. If that's the case, don't panic. While college costs have risen significantly during the past 10 years, the total amount of student aid available, including grants, loans, work-study programs and tax benefits has doubled. What's important is that you chart a course to obtain as much support as possible for the journey ahead. Here are some tips. Step One: Talk with school counselors. Advising students on financial aid options is one of the most importan t roles of school counselors. They can tell you about the different types of aid available and guide you through the application process, which can be daunting. You can also find helpful information by visiting the Web site for the National Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA) at www.nrccua.org. Step Two: Make sure you're eligible. To qualify for financial aid, your child must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. If your son would like to receive federal aid, he'll need to register with the U.S. Selective Service when he turns 18 (Selective Service registration is in fact required for all men aged 18 to 25). All students must also graduate from high school or earn a GED before receiving aid. Step Three: Order the FAFSA. Most of the available aid comes from the federal government, and to access it you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You'll use the information from your tax returns to complete the FAFSA, which you can submit by mail or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA site is a good source of information about all of the federal aid available, and it includes a link to the financial aid offices for most states as well. Step Four: Understand the full range of federal aid options available. Grant options include The Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which are offered to students from families in the lowest income brackets. Loan options include the Federal Stafford Loan, which has a variable interest rate, capped at 8.25 percent, and the Federal Perkins Loan, which has the lowest fixed rate of any federal student loans. You can also consider Federal Work-Study programs, which provide jobs that pay minimum wage or above. If you show significant financial need, you might also qualify for a Subsidized Stafford Loan, which does not start accruing interest until after you graduate from college, saving you a considerable sum. If you don't show enough need, you may be eligible for an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, which isn't based on need. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest when you sign on the bottom line, although interest rates on student loans are generally very low. Step Five: Take stock of the additional options available. Many scholarships are based on academic merit, but others - from businesses, civic and religious groups and corporate and financial organizations - are awarded based on family income or demographic factors. School counselors can also advise you on grants and loans from your state government, and those offered by the colleges and universities you're considering. Step Six: Develop a plan. The wide range of options and application deadlines might make you feel as if you're stuck in a maze, but it will be easier to navigate your way through if you begin early. While no aid will be awarded until your child is accepted into a higher education institution or program, you should start learning about your options as early as the middle school years or even before. Make a checklist of every type of grant and loan aid available. Itemize all of the forms and documentation you'll need, and create a calendar of deadlines for applying. Step Seven: Focus on high achievement. Many loans and grants are increasingly based more on academic merit than financial need. This is one more reason your child should develop good study skills and get extra help to address any issues that are impacting grades. It's also important for your son or daughter to do everything possible to prepare for the SAT and ACT - two high stakes exams that have a big impact on college admissions. Top performance on these tests can also lead to significant opportunities for scholarship money. Your child should also raise the bar as high as possible by taking Advanced Placement, honors or other advanced courses. Doing well in these courses is especially crucial if your child is hoping to receive aid from colleges and universities be cause it shows decision-makers that he or she is well-qualified for college-level work - and well positioned to ensure the institution's financial investment pays off. You'll also want to remember the power of the financial investment you're making. As noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) college graduates earn an average of $49,000 each year, compared to high school graduates, who earn roughly $30,000. This amounts to a difference of more than $800,000 (in today's dollars) throughout your son or daughter's professional life - further proof that now, and in the future, the path to high achievement leads to rich rewards.

Talking to Your Childs New Teacher About ADHD

Talking to Your Child’s New Teacher About ADHD Open ongoing communication between parents and teachers is essential for kids with ADHD. In fact, the most effective non-medication interventions for kids with ADHD involve regular communication between parents and teachers as a key treatment component. At the start of a new school year parents have the opportunity to set the stage for productive ongoing collaboration with their childs teacher. Follow these guidelines to get things started off on the right foot: Initiate the first meeting. Teachers have 25-30 new students in their classroom at the start of the school year, and will probably not have an opportunity to reach out to each parent individually. So, take the first step by emailing or calling the teacher to schedule an initial 15-20-minute meeting at the beginning of the school year. It may seem like you will need more than 15 minutes to discuss your childs ADHD, but longer meetings will be more difficult to schedule, and may provide more information than your childs teacher can digest during this jam-packed time of year. Remember that this is just an initial meeting. There will be opportunities for ongoing communication throughout the school year. Approach the meeting with an open mind. Every parent walks into teacher meetings with mixed emotions at the start of the school year. If you have struggled to get your childs needs met in the past, or had a challenging relationship with last years teacher, then it will be tempting to carry these negative experiences forward with you into the current school year. Even if you and your child have had positive experiences previously, you may worry that this years teacher will not live up to the high bar set by the wonderful teachers your child has had in the past. Regardless of your past experiences, try to view the new teacher and school year as an opportunity for a fresh start. Approach your childs new teacher as a collaborator and partner. You are both invested in ensuring that your child has a great school year, and you both have important roles to play in making this happen. Make most of your brief meeting time. Make the most of the time that you have scheduled by thinking through the key points that you want to discuss in advance. Make notes about these points, and bring the notes with you to the meeting. Throughout the meeting, communicate in a manner that is brief and specific. Too much detail and too many tangential stories will make it difficult for the teacher to focus on the important information that you are sharing. When considering which topics to cover, aim to focus on these 4 important meeting goals: Share essential information about your childs ADHD. How does ADHD affect your child academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally? What was your childs greatest struggle last year? What is your childs biggest strength? What are some interventions or accommodations, including those in IEPs and 504 plans, that have previously helped your child manage his or her ADHD? Learn about your childs teachers prior experience with ADHD. How many students with ADHD have they had over the course of their career? What are some strategies that they have used to help students with ADHD? What are their preferences when it comes to partnering with parents to help students with ADHD succeed? Learn about the teachers impressions of your child so far. What have they noticed about your child during the first few days of school? Having observed your child, and having heard the information that youve shared earlier in this meeting, what do they anticipate some of the greatest challenges may be for your child during this school year? Discuss next steps. What is at least one action that you can take at home and the teacher can take in the classroom this week to help your child? How will you and the teacher have regular communication going forward? When should a follow-up meeting be held? Initiating collaborative communication with your childs teacher at the start of the school year will lay the foundation for a positive partnership that will help your child get the support that he or she needs throughout the year at school and at home. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.