The Definition of Oxidation Number in Chemistry

The Definition of Oxidation Number in ChemistryIn order to understand what oxidation numbers are and how they are used in chemistry, you have to first learn a little bit about what oxidation is. Oxidation can be defined as the chemical process where two separate substances react with each other.This process is where an atom of one element combines with an atom of another element. The process will ultimately result in the emission of a substance with the other element being dissolved. It is also important to understand that oxidation is also referred to as reduction, as the first process is always the reduction of the second.When it comes to defining oxidation number in chemistry, you will first need to know what an oxidation number is. An oxidation number is simply the quantity of a substance that is oxidized. When you do an oxidation number in chemistry, you will first be asked to compute the quantity of the substance that is in equilibrium. Then, you will have to look at what oxida tion number is in order to get the reduction that occurs.When you define oxidation number in chemistry, it is important to understand that a reduction takes place when there is too much of a particular substance. When this happens, there will be a chemical reaction which results in the release of a specific chemical compound. The formation of this chemical compound is known as a product. In the case of oxidization, it results in the production of a product.In the case of oxidation number in chemistry, the 'product' can be defined as the sum of the quantities of the substances in equilibrium. What is important to understand here is that the reaction must be above the equilibrium level to give rise to a product.In order to understand oxidation number in chemistry, you will first need to know what an oxidation number is. A reduction, for example, is a series of consecutive chemical reactions which lead to the oxidation of the initial substance.The definition of oxidation number in chem istry can be used to determine what percentage of the quantity of substance is to be oxidized. In order to define oxidation number in chemistry, you will need to compute the concentration of an agent, then use that concentration to get the oxidation number.

Everything You Need to Know About B-School Admissions Rounds

Everything You Need to Know About B-School Admissions Rounds Most full-time MBA programs accept applications in three separate rounds: round one, round two, and round three. Its key to apply to business school when youre fully prepared, and this can take some planning. Which of these rounds should you apply in? What are the timelines for decisions? When applying to b-school, its important to be educated on the different rounds, as well as rolling admissions, in order to make the right admissions decision for you. Looking to plan your b-school admissions timeline? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about b-school admissions rounds. B-school admissions rounds one and two Round one deadlines typically fall in September or October, with decisions sent to applicants in December. (Certain programs may offer an Early Action round with an even earlier deadline.) Round two deadlines generally fall in November, December, or January, with decisions returned between January and March. For the best results, admissions officers often encourage MBA candidates to submit their applications in the first two rounds. In addition, students who are interested in scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other forms of financial aid should apply in round one or two, as most awards are allotted during these two rounds. Though round one does offer more opportunities for applicants, as most of the class seats are open, students applying to MBA programs should still make sure that their applications are at the highest quality to increase the likelihood of acceptance. Allow time to make improvements and submit your application in round two if the following points apply to you: Your application isnt quite complete during round one. You would like the retake your GMAT or GRE. [RELATED: 3 Ways to Prepare for a Business School Interview] The final b-school admissions rounds Some business schools have three admissions rounds, while others have more. These are the least advantageous of the rounds, as most seats at schools have been filled during the previous months. In the final rounds, including round three, admissions officers are looking to augment their classes with students who stand out from the crowded field. The individuals who have the greatest opportunities for success in these rounds are qualified candidates who have some combination of solid experience, high test scores, superb academic performance, and refined career focus. [RELATED: How to Make the Most of Your Business School Campus Visit] B-school rolling admissions While many MBA programs have separate, dedicated rounds for their applications, some offer rolling admissions. This means candidates for these programs can submit their applications throughout the year for the upcoming semester. Columbia Business School, for example, is a full-time MBA program that has a rolling admissions policy. Therefore, if youre applying to Columbia as a full-time MBA student, you can send in your application throughout the year. Note, though, that its still beneficial to submit your application as early as possible. [RELATED: 4 Steps to Take Today to Prepare for B-School] All in all, the best time to submit your MBA application is when its fully ready. This means your submission includes polished essays, glowing recommendations, and your highest GMAT or GRE score. Additionally, you should be ready for your MBA interview. Plan aheadyou should not apply to business school on a whim. Select the b-school admissions round that works best for your individual situation so that you have the greatest opportunity to attend your top choice business school. 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.

Personal Branding E-Book-Reduced Price! - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Personal Branding E-Book-Reduced Price! - Introvert Whisperer Personal Branding E-Book-Reduced Price! Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran  â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential.  Introvert Whisperer

The Actors of Free Online Tutoring

The Actors of Free Online Tutoring Free Online Tutoring in the UK ChaptersFree Tutoring for Schoolchildren: the Traditional and Best-Known ResourcesFree One on One Tutoring SitesOnline Tutoring Sites to Improve Your Grades on ExamsOther Websites Linking to Online Learning ResourcesGeneral Resources Free OnlineMake Use of Free Tutoring Sites and AppsMOOCsPrivate tutoring has long been the established method of improving a child’s grades at school. But the education crisis has not only been felt in schools. Official organisations are often overwhelmed with queries, and cost remains a concern with a great many parents. Lessons at home with private tutors cost anywhere between £25 and £60. What with school supplies, outings and transportation, this is more than many families can afford.This is why Superprof is eager to provide you with various resources that are entirely FREE. others are paying but not quite as expensive as elsewhere. Subjects range from robotics to Natural Language Processing to an Intro into Self-driving cars. Definitely worth a look!What are your thoughts on free online tutoring resources available to students in the UK?

Its Never Too Late! 5 Musicians Who Got a Late Start

Its Never Too Late! 5 Musicians Who Got a Late Start Shanika These days, we hear a lot about music artists who have made a name for themselves starting from a young age pop stars like Christina Aguilera and sibling-duo Donny and Marie Osmond, for example. But don’t worry if you don’t have that kind of early-on experience it’s never too late to start your music career! There are a number of musicians who either did not get into music until later in life or took several years to become famous. Here are five famous musicians who got a late start in music, but have left a mark on the music industry forever: Sheryl Crow Crow started out as a music teacher after graduating from the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. She continued to pursue her dreams, however, by playing gigs on the weekends and writing jingles for commercials. Crow didnt reach mainstream success until she was 31 years old, when she shot to fame with her single All I Wanna Do. The song helped her win the Grammy award for Best New Artist in 1995. Leonard Cohen Cohen was born in Canada in 1934, and emerged in the music industry at the age of 33. He started as a writer but found it difficult to earn money, and turned to writing folk music full-time. He began writing for other artists, such as Judy Collins, and eventually signed with Columbia Records. His first album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, was released in 1967. He played various instruments including guitar, piano and synthesizer. Al Jarreau Jarreau got his start performing jazz in various hot spots throughout Los Angeles. He appeared on various talk shows, including Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin, to promote his career and eventually signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1975. His debut album released when he was 35 years old. Since then, Jarreau has won seven Grammy awards. Tuli Kupferberg Kupferberg was a poet, author and cartoonist, along with being a musician. His music career took off at the age of 40, when he co-founded the Fugs, a funk/punk band. Before that, Kupferberg was well-known for his counter-culture books Beatniks (1961) and 1001 Ways to Beat the Draft (1966). John Ondrasik Ondrasik, also known by his stage name Five for Fighting, is yet another famousmusician that came to fame at a later age. He was born in 1965 in Los Angeles, and studied science and math at UCLA. However, he pursued music in his spare time. After performing at several small venues, Ondrasik was eventually signed by EMI records in 1997. His first album was Message for Albert, but it was his hit single from his second album Superman that brought his name to fame when Ondrasik was 35 years old. There are many other artists who became famous at a later age. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, one of the biggest-selling solo artists in classical music, was 35 when he recorded his first album. Deborah Harry of Blondie recorded her first album at age 31. Opportunities abound for talented musicians these days on reality TV competitions; Susan Boyle, for example, got her break on The X-Factor at age 48. Many people think that someone who is older can’t make it into the music industry, but these artists prove the assumption wrong. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Photo by  Kevin Burkett

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt Life and Times in Ancient Egypt ChaptersTimeline for Ancient EgyptBasic Facts About Ancient EgyptThe PharaohsReligion in Ancient EgyptSociety in Ancient EgyptEducation in Ancient EgyptGender Roles in Ancient EgyptLegacy of Ancient EgyptFascinating and mysterious, complex and long, the history of Egypt is one continuous arc that spans nearly 30 centuries.During that time, the land has seen such impactful events as dynastic rule and bitter civil war, hostile takeovers, foreign leadership and the proposed bite of a hippopotamus â€" more on that later.From the long history unearthed in the Nile River delta, we’ve learned that the people of Egypt loved board games and kept pets, were not shy about engaging in conflicts on foreign soil and were perhaps some of the most enlightened people in the annals of early humanity.They were adroit craftsmen and master architects, fierce warriors given to excess and, above all, firm believers in romantic love... believe it or not!Although the tales and legends â€" even the timeline of Ancient Egypt are long, your Superprof now attempts to condense salient aspects of life in Egypt’s earliest days. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTimeline for Ancient Egypt Egypt's timeline is as long as the desert is vast Image by Nadine Doerlé from PixabayMuch like the Greek civilization, another that has endured for millennia, Ancient Egypt is neatly broken down into discrete periods.5000 â€" 3100 BC; the Pre-Dynastic Period: over 2,000 years of civilization developmentThe Red Land, based in the Nile River Delta and the White Land in the south were united under King Menes, thus establishing the first dynasty.3100 â€" 2686 BC, the Archaic Period: Memphis founded as the capital city; foundation of Egyptian society and ideology is laid.2686 â€" 2181 BC, the Old Kingdom: the time of pyramid building. King Djoser tasks architect Imhotep to create his funerary monument; his pyramid became the world’s first built stone structure.2181 â€" 2055 BC, the First Intermediate Period: the Old Kingdom collapsed and central leadership dissolved, leading to civil war within the provinces2055 â€" 1786 BC, the Middle Kingdom: peace returns to the land; leaders adopt an aggressive foreign policy agenda that includes diplomatic and trade relations with Syria and Palestine1786 â€" 1567 BC, the Second Intermediary Period: Rival powers attempt to gain control over all of Egypt but fail to consolidate their power1567 â€" 1085 BC, the New Kingdom: Egypt is reunited and power consolidated under the first king of the 18th dynasty. A dramatic shift of religious beliefs ensues.1805 â€" 664 BC, the Third Intermediate Period: massive upheaval in society, politics and culture; a return to local governance.664 â€" 332 BC, the Late Period: Egypt is reunited but becomes a part of the Persian Empire.In 332 BC, Alexander the Great fought the Persians and won control of Egypt. After his death in 323 BC, Egypt was ruled by Macedonian general Ptolemy, who formed his own dynasty by passing leadership to his descendants.Cleopatra VII, the last Ptolemaic ruler, surrendered Egypt to Roman forces in 31 BC, an act that placed Egypt under Roman rule for the next six centur ies.During this era, a burgeoning new religion called Christianity was replacing ancient Roman deities that so closely aligned with Egyptian ones.This new faith spread through the Roman Empire â€" of which Egypt was now a part of, putting that ancient civilization in the crosshairs of Arab invaders, who took over the land in the 7th Century AD and promptly converted the people to Islam.Their doing so eradicated any outward resemblance to ancient Egyptian culture.This timeline is obviously very condensed. It glosses over virtually every aspect of life in Egypt, from the grandiose pharaohs to the laments of the poets and the slaves in the fields to the silent Sphinx â€" the very symbol of Egypt.On the other hand, now that we’ve laid out the epochs, we can easier illustrate which changes were wrought at what time during the long existence of this magnificent civilization.Also discover one of the shortest-lived empires: the IncasBasic Facts About Ancient EgyptThe Nile River Delta was a lush and verdant region with an abundant supply of water; settling along its banks must have seemed like an attractive option to those migrating out of Africa.Much like the people who eventually settled along the Tigris River to build the Mesopotamian civilizations, the earliest Egyptians founded small colonies. They hunted and gathered their food.Once they mastered the cycle of the Nile’s flooding and draining, they were able to plant crops, thus transitioning into an agrarian society.  They cultivated wheat, flax and, most importantly, papyrus, which gave them a means of establishing their written language.As the Nile is quite long, it was both a generous resource and a means of achieving dominance in the region. Ancient Egyptian art reveals that pharaohs were thought of as descended from the gods Image by Oberholster Venita from PixabayThe PharaohsAlthough the period known as Ancient Egypt spanned more than three millennia and was ruled by no fewer than 31 dynasties â€" periods where members of a single family ruled, only a handful of pharaohs were truly remarkable.Khufu commissioned the Great Pyramid at Giza but Djoser was responsible for the first step pyramid. At the time of its building (and still today), it signalled great advances in engineering and architecture.Amenhotep was remarkable for his diplomatic skill; under his rule, Egypt enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity. By contrast, Thutmose III was military-minded to the utmost degree; in fact, he left his stepmother in charge of government affairs, taking over only after she died.You most likely know her name: Hatshepsut. She was the one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt.You probably know this name as well : Tutankhamun.Known as ‘The Boy King’, he was not famous for his rule but for his burial â€" the magnificent treasure found intact in spite of a penchant for grave robbing in that area.What is even more remarkable was the fact that he was mummified and buried without his heart or chest wall â€" a practice completely contrary to traditional Egyptian burial.Egyptologists suspect that his death was caused by a hippopotamus bite, citing as proof the physical evidence â€" his missing body parts, as well as a statue he was buried with, that depicts him throwing a spear.Apparently, hunting those great beasts was a common pastime, at least for royals, in Ancient Egypt.Ramses II was perhaps the most ostentatious pharaoh; it is thought that his extravagance nearly drove the monarchy close to bankruptcy.He ruled Egypt for 67 years and reportedly fathered 97 children. He left behind an extensive architectural legacy; some monuments were erected in honour of his greatness while others alread y standing were modified to reflect his power and allegedly divine nature.Ramses the Great, son of Seti I, ultimately declared himself a god. No one argued the point.Akhenaten brought about a revolution in Egyptian religion.  In fact, such a devout was he that he changed his own name from the dynastic Amenhotep to the one we know him by, which means ‘he who is in service to Aten’ - Aten being a sort of über-god that supplanted all of the others. Discover the bloodthirsty Aztec gods of Mesoamerica. Even in death, Ramses the Great proclaimed his magnificence Image by Loretta Rossiter from PixabayTo compound the intricacy of the Egyptian belief system, each region had its own particular deities.When a new family took power - became king, his region’s gods took centre stage. For instance, when the seat of power shifted from Memphis to Thebes, Amun, their principle god became the national chief-god.The most dramatic example of such a religious reversal was when Amenhotep proclaimed Aten to be the only deity. This was the closest that Ancient Egypt ever got to believe in only one god.Atenkhamen’s decision to invoke that obscure aspect of the sun god must not have been a popular one; after his death, all of Egypt reverted to worshipping their entire array of gods.The sun god ranked highest in their pantheon â€" even over local gods. He had many names; the most popular one being Ra or Re.Outranking Ra, Amun-Ra was the supreme deity, comparable to Zeus in Greek mythology. He was ma rried to Mut â€" ‘mother’ in Egyptian, represented in hieroglyphs as a vulture, a cat, a cobra or a cow, depending on the region.Osiris was the god of the afterlife and, curiously enough, vegetation. Anubis, a jackal, is said to help in the afterlife and protect the dead.Horus was the god of vengeance or, alternatively, war, the sky, protection and light.You may wonder why Egyptian gods have such diverse or even contradictory roles.Aspects of life needing a god did not change from region to region or rule to rule. The provenance of the gods did, though, and that lent them new powers and responsibilities.For instance, Horus is said to be the child of Osiris and Isis, which lent him qualities suitable for vengeance and war. Conversely, he is also said to be the product of Zeb and Nut. The latter, being the sky goddess, lends her son qualities that make it possible for him to be of light and sky.Other important gods include Thoth (god of wisdom), Hathor (goddess of motherhood), Sek net (goddess of healing) and Geb (god of earth).Also discover another culture that believes in animism: aboriginal Australians. The ankh featured prominently in Ancient Egypt as a symbol of life Image by Devanath from PixabaySociety in Ancient EgyptThe ancient Egyptians firmly believed in social stratification.Naturally, at the very top of social ranking came the pharaohs, who were believed to be descended from the gods.  Next came the pharaoh’s advisers â€" some of whom were consorts, and then high-ranking government officials.After that came the nobles, lower-ranking government officials, soldiers and scribes.  Finally, at the lowest ranks of society, came merchants and artisans. Under them were ranked workers farmers and slaves.People could improve their lot in life by getting an education â€" either academic or an apprenticeship. If one went the academic route, it would be possible to become a scribe or government official.Otherwise, positions held by the parents would be inherited by the children: farmers’ offspring would be farmers themselves while a trader’s son would himself become a trader in t ime.Discover the Mayan’s rigid social hierarchy.Education in Ancient EgyptSchools in ancient Egypt taught reading and writing, maths, religious instruction and social values.Then as today, people believed that education could open doors to a better life, so the people with the means to do so would send their sons to school.Yes, only sons; daughters were educated at home.Through their mothers’ tutelage, girls too learned to read and perhaps to write but math was probably not a part of the curriculum unless the child belonged to a merchant family.Overall, the focus of girls’ education was more on the domestic arts: cooking and caring for husband and children.Children of peasants and slaves generally did not go to school because there were so few schools and what places might have been open were reserved for wealthy families’ children.Anyway, the poorer classes would not have had the money to spend on education.Gender Roles in Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt was one of the most adva nced civilizations in terms of gender equality.While it is true that men held most of the power and government positions, women enjoyed great financial, legal and civil independence. Women could enter into contracts, buy and sell property and serve on juries.Generally, women did not work outside of the home, or the family fields if she was a farmer’s wife. On the rare occasions that women may have worked outside the home, she generally received compensation equal to that of men.Perhaps most remarkable was the clothing worn by both men and women, and how they adorned themselves.While women wore shifts â€" short, sleeveless dresses, men wore skirts, leaving their upper body bare. This was no doubt a means of beating the heat. Both men and women wore makeup, too.Children, boys or girls, wore nothing at all until they became adolescent. Romantic love was very much a part of life in Ancient Egypt Image by Albert Dezetter from PixabayFor Love or Marriage?We mentioned earlier that the ancient Egyptians were quite romantic; nowhere is that better seen than in the images of Tutankhamun with his young wife who, by all appearances, praised and adored him.Likewise, poetry points to the fact that ancient Egyptians were quite romantic, especially in the papyrus from the New Kingdom era.It is a bit off-putting when one reads ‘My sister is unique, no one can rival her...’ until you realise that, in general, women were referred to as ‘sister’.All older women were called ‘mother’ whether any of them were the writer’s actual mother or not so we must conclude that the sister in question was actually the writer’s wife and his words are a testament to his deep love for her.Nevertheless, in spite of ample evidence that ancient Egypt was rife with romantic love, marriages were arranged for social or family stability rat her than out of any glow of adoration.Legacy of Ancient EgyptBesides the pyramids and tons of sand to dig through to discover artefacts, the legacy left by the Ancient Egyptians is vast.Being surrounded by harsh terrain is one reason that the Egyptians did not suffer many invasions. Their territory was easy to defend, which relieved them of the obligation of constantly fighting off those who would endanger their way of life.Thus protected, they could devote almost all of their time to develop their cities, religion and society. They had time to ponder and create architectural marvels and technological wonders.From the papyrus to the ink to write with; from toothpaste to ox-drawn ploughs: some early Egyptian discoveries are still in use today, although in an updated form.Let’s not gloss over Egyptian writing! Samples of Egyptian hieroglyphs have been dated as far back as the 28th Century BC.Egyptologist Geoffrey Sampson contends that ancient Egyptians got the idea of creating a wri tten language from Mesopotamia because there is some evidence of cultural exchange between the two civilizations but, so far, the theory has not been substantiated.Still, it is important to know that the Egyptian scripts paved the way for the Phoenician alphabet which, in turn, evolved into the Greek and Aramaic writing scripts.Bottom line: the Egyptian script is the root of most scripts being used today.If that were all the claim to fame that ancient Egypt could make, it would still be substantial, wouldn’t it?Now discover other ancient civilizations’ legacies.

Forming Study Groups - Private Tutoring

Forming Study Groups BobbiM Apr 19, 2014 Study groups can be very helpful. In fact, one of the best ways to review is by forming study groups. Some students will form study groups that meet on a weekly basis to talk about and review what went on in class that week. Other students like to use study groups just before an exam as a way of reviewing and perhaps even getting a new or different perspective on what they have learned. Either way, study groups have big advantages if they are done right. Perhaps the biggest advantage of being part of a study group is that it allows you to listen to information on another persons voice, which can provide insights that you may not have considered. In a traditional course, you listen to your professors interpretation of the information during lectures, you read the text for another interpretation, and through these two sources, you come up with your own interpretation or meaning. You have listened, read, and written down material, so you have used several if your senses. All of this interaction should help you gain a greater degree of understanding of the material. It stands to reason, then, that by listening to and interacting with others who are also trying to understand the course information, you would gain a deeper understanding, be able to remember the concepts better, and subsequently do better on the exams. Its important to think about the characteristics of good study groups. Just meeting with people in the same course does not necessarily make a study group. Good study groups have the following characteristics: -Everyone comes prepared. Study groups do not replace studying on your own. Everyone should come to the group prepared to review the information, pose and answer possible test questions, and voice questions about material they dont understand. If the study group members have to spend all their time trying to teach a large portion of the course material to someone who didnt even attempt to learn it on her own, most members will not benefit. -Everyone can talk through a difficult idea with the group. It helps everyone in the group if you choose something that is giving you a bit of trouble or something that you may have some questions about. As you are reviewing your understanding of the concept, others who may understand it better than you should be encouraged to offer additional explanation. Dont shy away from discussing information that you dont know very well; it defeats the purpose of the group. -Members of the study group should be classmates, but not necessarily friends. Everyone knows what can happen when friends get together to study: everything goes fine for the first few minutes, but its easy to get off track. Its much better to have serious students, who all have the goal of doing well, in your study group rather than just recruiting your friends. Thats not to say that studying with friends will never work; its simply harder to study with friends than it is with classmates working toward a common goal. -Meet at a place that is conducive to studying. Campus libraries often have study rooms set aside for just this purpose. Such rooms are generally small and sound proof so that normal conversation an discussion can be carried out with ease. If your library doesnt have study rooms, dorms often have common areas equipped with study rooms. Empty classrooms can also work well if your only alternative is to study in someones room or at someones home or apartment, remind yourself what the purpose of the session is-to review the course material for a test, not to socialize. -Have clear goals and structure. When you initially form a study group, you should have a more specific goal than to get together and study. Most groups meet at regular times. Groups that have a game plan in mind before they come together are generally the most successful. Almost everyone can benefit from belonging to a study group at one time or another, but study groups work particularly well for students who learn better auditorily and through discussion and in courses they find problematic. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

GRE Quantitative Section Geometry

GRE Quantitative Section Geometry GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE measures your basic mathematical skills, as well as your understanding of basic mathematical concepts pertaining to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Furthermore, the Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to reason mathematically, and to solve mathematical problems based on analyzing and evaluating information presented to you in the problem. Now that you know what to expect on the GRE Quantitative section, you shouldn’t panic about the content that you‘ll encounter; you have seen this material before. Remember, the problems you see in this section are based on a high school math and statistics course, which you’ve probably already taken if you are preparing for the GRE exam. So, how can you score well on the GRE Quantitative section? Reviewing basic mathematical formulas, rules, and equations should be your starting point. In this series of blog articles, we’ll review basic formulas, rules, and concepts for arithmetics, algebra, geometry, and data analysis you should be familiar with in order to tackle the GRE Quantitative section. We’ll also review strategies to tackle these questions, as well as a practice problem so that you can see how to apply the strategy. In this blog article, we’ll be focusing on geometry formulas, rules, concepts, as well as the kinds of geometry problems you should expect to see on the GRE Quantitative exam. In the next blog article, we will discuss strategies on how to approach GRE Geometry questions, as well as solve some practice problem so that you have an understanding of how to apply the strategies. GRE GEOMETRY DIGEST As mentioned earlier, geometry is one of the four math subjects that you will be tested on in the GRE exam. Most of the GRE Geometry problems are centered on parallel and perpendicular lines, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, other polygons, congruent and similar figures, three-dimensional figures, area, perimeter, volume, the Pythagorean theorem, and angle measurement in degrees. That’s a lot! So how can you know what to do to correctly interpret, analyze, and solve a geometry problem? First, you should familiarize yourself with all of the basic geometry formulas and rules. Lines and Angles When two lines intersect at a point, they form four angles, each of which has the same vertex. In the figure, the two lines that are shown are line LK, and line HG, and the vertex, or where the lines intersect, is point P. Angles KPH and GPL are called opposite angles. Opposite angles have equal measures, thus making them congruent angles. Lines that intersect and form four congruent angles are called perpendicular lines. Each of the four angles are 90 degrees. Angles that are 90 degrees are called right angles. The small square at the vertex of the perpendicular lines indicates that the angle is a 90 degree angle. Two lines that don’t intersect are calledparallel lines. The adjacent figure shows two parallel lines, l1 and l2, that areintersected by a third line, l3, forming eight angles. Note that all the x angles are all congruent angles, thus they all have the same degree measure. All the y angles are also congruent angles and have the same degree measure. Another thing to note is that when you add angle x and angle y, they total 180 degrees. An angle that measures less than 90 degrees is called an acute angle. An angle that measures more than 90 degrees is called an obtuse angle. An angle that measures 180 degrees is called a straight angle. Polygons A polygon is a shape with three or more sides. Each corner where two sides meet is called a vertex. Included below is adiagram illustrating different kinds of polygons. Note that the triangle is the simplest polygon, and that you can divide polygons with more than three sides into triangles. A quadrilateral (4 sides) can be divided into 2 triangles. A pentagon (5 sides) can be divided into 3 triangles. A hexagon (6 sides) can be divided into 4 triangles. Or, in other words, a polygon with n sides can be divided into (n-2) triangles. To determine the sum of the measure of each interior angle of an n-sided polygon, you can use the following equation: (n-2)*(180). For example, the sum of interior angles in a quadrilateral is (n=4) ? (4-2)*(180) = 360 degrees. The sum of interior angles in a decagon is (n=10) ? (10-2)*(180) = 1440 degrees. A polygon in which all of the sides and all of the angles are congruent is called a regular polygon. The perimeter of a polygon is the sum total of the lengths of its sides. The area of a polygon refers to the area of the region enclosed by the polygon. Triangles Every triangle has three sides, and three angles which add up to 180 degrees. An equilateral triangle is a triangle in which all three angles of the triangle are equal. In other words, all three angles are 60 degrees. An isosceles triangle is a triangle in which two of the three angles of the triangle are equal. A scalene triangle is a triangle in which none of the angles are equal to each other. In any triangle, the longest side is always directly opposite the largest angle. Take for instance the hypotenuse of a triangle; the hypotenuse is the longest side of a triangle and is always opposite the largest angle in a triangle. In the image below, the hypotenuse is opposite a right angle (the largest angle). The same logic applies for small sides; the smallest side is always directly opposite the smallest angle. The triangle inequality rule is a rule that you’ll surely encounter on the GRE math section. The rule states that the length of one side of a triangle is less than the sum of the lengths of the other two sides and greater than the difference of the lengths of the other two sides. The Pythagorean Theorem is a rule that applies only to right angle triangles. The rule states that the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two legs. That is c2=a2 + b2 where c is always the hypotenuse, and a and b are always the lengths of the other two legs of the triangle. Quadrilaterals Quadrilaterals are four-sided figures with four angles that add up to 360 degrees. In other words, squares, rectangles, and parallelograms are all quadrilaterals. To find the perimeter of a quadrilateral, simply add up the lengths of all four sides. To find the area of a quadrilateral, multiply its width by its length. (To find the area of a parallelogram, make sure to multiply the base by the height of the figure, and not by the side length). Circles Circles come up pretty often on the GRE Math section. Here’s what you need to know about circles: A chord a line that connects to points on the circumference of a circle. The radius is a line that extends from the center of a circle to a point on the circumference of a circle. The diameter is a line that connects two points on the circumference of a circle and also passes through the center of the circle. Thus, the diameter is both a chord and twice the length of the radius. The radius is not a chord. The circumference of a circle is simply the perimeter of a circle, or the distance around a circle. To find the circumference of a circle use the following formula: circumference = 2r?? or d?? where r is the radius and d is the diameter. The formula to find the area of a circle is area =??r2 One thing that the GRE test writers like to do is inscribe objects within another object. For example, you might encounter a triangle inscribed in a circle, or a circle inscribed in a polygon, or a circle inscribed another circle (aka concentric circles). There are a couple of things you should know about inscribed figures: The area of a figure inscribed within another figure will not exceed the area of the surrounding figure. If a right triangle is inscribed within a circle, the hypotenuse of the triangle is equal to the diameter of a circle. Now that you have refamiliarized yourself with the basic geometry formulas and rules, you are all set to tackle the Math section of the GRE. The key to correctly answering the questions on the GRE Math section involves drawing connections between the geometry question and the fundamental geometry concepts and formulas you’ve just reviewed. The more connections you are able to draw, the better shape you’ll be in to correctly solve the question. In the next blog post, we’ll focus on answering a few geometry questions by drawing connections to the fundamental geometry principles you’ve just reviewed. For more Geometry review and practice problems, PrepScholar has some great resources as well. Check it out!

Father of Second Generation Kumon Students Talks about Motivation and Self-Learning

Father of Second Generation Kumon Students Talks about Motivation and Self-Learning Father of Second Generation Kumon Students Talks about Motivation and Self-Learning Kumon isn’t easy. Trust us, we know. Even with the just-right level of study, children experience ups-and-downs as they are encouraged to think critically and independently. We also know that it’s not always easy explaining the big picture to your children and helping them understand how Kumon will benefit them in the long-run. With more than 2,000 Kumon Centers in North America, parents all over experience these similar challenges. To connect these families to a larger Kumon community, we’ve launched “I Remember Kumon.” This video series explores the journeys of real Kumon Students. Their triumphs and even their tribulations. Meet Glenn. He’s the father of second generation Kumon Students. Glenn was enrolled in the Kumon Program as a child, so he easily relates to his children’s Kumon struggles. As a father and former Kumon Student, Glenn knows that the objective of Kumon is to instill in students the skills and mindset for self-learning.  He knows that through continuous Kumon Study, his children will become self-motivated, independent problem solvers. Glenn’s ultimate goal is like that of many Kumon Parents. He wants his children to receive a good education that adequately prepares them for the ever-changing world. One of the benefits of self-learning is developing the skill of perseverance. Students can work through a struggle and eventually conquer it on their own. Along the way, they are developing the confidence that will allow them to continue to overcome any obstacle in-and-out of the classroom. Glenn offers three tips on how to foster self-learning at home: Keep the balance. When encouraging your children to become self-learners, it’s important to maintain the balance between  helping your  children with homework and doing the work for them. Remind them of what they already know. When my children hit roadblocks, I focus on motivating them by helping them realize that they already have a baseline knowledge. By staying positive and focusing on what they already know, I help them understand that each worksheet is just another building block to a new skill. Praise the process, not just the achievement. It’s important to praise children’s specific efforts as well as their achievements. Demonstrating consistent effort is just as important as receiving a high test score. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Lifelong Learning with Kumon Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Kumon Reading Program Completer Motivated by Other Students Father of Second Generation Kumon Students Talks about Motivation and Self-Learning Father of Second Generation Kumon Students Talks about Motivation and Self-Learning Kumon isn’t easy. Trust us, we know. Even with the just-right level of study, children experience ups-and-downs as they are encouraged to think critically and independently. We also know that it’s not always easy explaining the big picture to your children and helping them understand how Kumon will benefit them in the long-run. With more than 2,000 Kumon Centers in North America, parents all over experience these similar challenges. To connect these families to a larger Kumon community, we’ve launched “I Remember Kumon.” This video series explores the journeys of real Kumon Students. Their triumphs and even their tribulations. Meet Glenn. He’s the father of second generation Kumon Students. Glenn was enrolled in the Kumon Program as a child, so he easily relates to his children’s Kumon struggles. As a father and former Kumon Student, Glenn knows that the objective of Kumon is to instill in students the skills and mindset for self-learning.  He knows that through continuous Kumon Study, his children will become self-motivated, independent problem solvers. Glenn’s ultimate goal is like that of many Kumon Parents. He wants his children to receive a good education that adequately prepares them for the ever-changing world. One of the benefits of self-learning is developing the skill of perseverance. Students can work through a struggle and eventually conquer it on their own. Along the way, they are developing the confidence that will allow them to continue to overcome any obstacle in-and-out of the classroom. Glenn offers three tips on how to foster self-learning at home: Keep the balance. When encouraging your children to become self-learners, it’s important to maintain the balance between  helping your  children with homework and doing the work for them. Remind them of what they already know. When my children hit roadblocks, I focus on motivating them by helping them realize that they already have a baseline knowledge. By staying positive and focusing on what they already know, I help them understand that each worksheet is just another building block to a new skill. Praise the process, not just the achievement. It’s important to praise children’s specific efforts as well as their achievements. Demonstrating consistent effort is just as important as receiving a high test score. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Lifelong Learning with Kumon Motivation is the Key to this Kumon Student’s Success Kumon Reading Program Completer Motivated by Other Students