Archive for the 'The Mathematicians Way' Category

The Bicycle – a Life Long Partner

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

A bicycle is a human power-driven vehicle that has a frame tied with two wheels and that is
driven by a pedal. presented during the 19th centuries bicycles are known to outdo the
full number of motor vehicles by a ratio of 2 to 1. Bicycles being the main method of carry in many corners of the globe, the bicycle is also majorly used for other recreational activities and for the purpose of fitness and even in the case of law enforcement actions such as petrolling an area.

The Story of Bicycles

Since the origin of the chain-driven model in around 1885, the key pattern and the shape of a
typical bicycle has remained relatively unchanged. However, the usage of modern material and innovation methods
such as computer-aided pattern has improved the many views of the bicycle. These methods have greatly aided the spawn of
specialized bicycles for particular purposes such as racing, utility and law enforcement uses. Additionally, the concept of the bicycle has up to a great extent extended its contribution for the development of automobiles by introducing concepts such as ball bearings, pneumatic tires and spoke tensioned wheels.

Things to Look in a Bicycle

Dynamics
of the bicycle is something that should be referred to first. Bicycle needs its centre of gravity in order to be in its space. So it reaches this by moving forward
using the steering which offers some balance to the rider. Additionally, in order to pilot successfully the body of the rider must balance out the dynamics,
especially at turns. Counter-steering is a task that is used in this regard.

Through both biological and mechanical view points, the bicycle is an highly
cost-effective machine. Energy needed from the rider for the bicycle to execute its
marvels are high on the list but given the distance that a bicycle can take you through without fuel, it becomes a
valuable journey at the end. The bicycle wheels carry nearly 99% of the energy because the rider exerts energy to pedals. But in
bicycles that have gear mechanisms, the energy needed will be reduced Nonetheless the air drag faced by the rider will
always remain a problem. When the speed is high, a lot of energy will be needed
to overcome this airdrag resulting in an exhaustive ride for the rider. The only way to reduce the air drag is to importantly reduce the position to supine or prone that is in line with aerodynamics.

The main
features of a bicycle are frame, steering mechanics, seating, drivetrain, suspension, wheels and brakes. Certain bicycles may include optional
mechanics such as gearing which uses distinct sizes of gears to obtain a mechanical advantage from the bicycle. Using gears a rider can produce a higher power output with a relatively low
power input and thus, increasing the efficiency of the bicycle.

Can Algebra Benefit You?

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

What is Algebra?

Algebra is a comprehensive category of mathematics that uses abstraction by exchanging alphabetic characters for numbers. It is this abstraction that often scares many and shudders some. Algebra topics range by working through simple tasks such as factoring trinomials and eventually progressing on to finding the product of matrices. Most individuals begin to try Algebra by adding, subtracting, reducing and simplifying algebraic expressions. later on, they would move on to more advanced stages of solving algebraic equations using the least common multiples and converting fractions in to decimals.

Oh no! It’s Exponents, Radicals and Graphing

There are many another higher level topics. Firstly there are exponents. An exponent is the tiny number placed to the right and slightly above a number or algebraic expression. In this example (x + y)3 where the 3 is the exponent and denotes the power to which that number is raised. The above algebraic expression is read as, x plus y to the third power. While working with exponents you will frequently see exercises that require you to add, subtract, multiply and divide. You can work with fractional and negative exponents. If that isn’t enough to make your head spin, then you can move on to radicals. A radical, in simple terms, is the undoing of an power. The V beside 4 denote a radical expression which means, the square root of 4, which equals 2. The inverse of “V” symbol is “^” which denotes that the number it refers to is a multiple of the principle number. Therefore, 2^2 which is read as 2 to the 2nd power, equals 4. Moreover, exponents can be added, subtracted, multiplied or divided by radicals. Radicals can be converted into exponents and powers back into radicals. If you find that exponents and roots don’t really perk up your interest, you could move on to graphing. The best way to start with graphing is to draw lines and try to work out if they are horizontal, vertical or neither. Does the line have an x-intercept or a y-intercept? Can you find the slope of the line? After you master graphing lines, a whole world of circles, parabolas and hyperbolas awaits you!

Help is Out There

While you are learning algebra if the terms and concepts seem too much to handle, relax and take a break. It’s time to look around because there exists a wide array of resources that is able to help you master the subject. Look for math tutors or software applications that will walk you through gradual process on how to solve any problem. Know that frustration is not your only friend because any of these instruments can assist you become an algebra guru in no time.

Making Algebra Easy

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Algebra as a Science

Algebra is thought as one of the essential branches of maths which puts the light on how to deal with all situations involving numbers and variables. By Nature and historically, there is so much to say about teaching and studying of Algebra as a generalized arithmetic which goes through systematic mathematical processes such as induction, generalization and proof. So, the pupils get to develop their mastery in algebra progressively, for example by getting the information from tutors or packages, which offer step by step illustrative solutions. Algebra software provide all the previously used methods of Algebra learning with a new scientific approach to drive the information smoothly into the student’s heads. Many students don’t even know how very useful Algebra is! They complain about its impracticality ignoring that Algebra, broadly math, instructs their mind how to think logically and correctly. The typical way to learn Algebra is in school, from being a kid till becoming an adult students get their lessons from the teacher. With the advancement of applied science, new techniques have been developed to learn Algebra, such as using software programs which is a more handy way to learn Algebra. These software programs deliver information in a step-by-step approach in to student’s heads.

Algebra’s Addressed Area

Same as any other arm of science, A lot of areas are addressed by algebra including many theories and concepts. Gcf, or Greatest Common Factor, is one such concepts. Gcf means to rewrite the polynomial as a product of simpler polynomials or of polynomials and monomials. Other connected area is solving fractions which enables a person to get a simplified result. Quadratic function represents any function which is a solution of a quadratic polynomial. Multiplying and Dividing fractions is also an primary area of basic Algebra. A person can multiply and divide with radicals only if the index, or root, is the same. Other related areas are Adding and Subtracting Radicals; an individual can add or subtract radical terms only if both the index and the radicand are the same. Matrix operations, another primary areas of algebra which has a wide applicability when it comes to the real life, includes operations such as adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing . Other important areas are finding x-intercept of a line and y-intercept of a line – to get the x-intercept of a line, substitute zero for y in the equation and vice versa for finding y-intercept of a line.

7 Ways To Protect And Improve Your Credit Rating

Monday, June 16th, 2008

Your credit score accounts for the amount of interest you have to pay for a loan or a credit card. Increasing your score in just a few points will make a big difference in the interest rate you will pay for a purchase. If your credit score is high enough, you’ll have no problem qualifying for a lender’s best rates and terms on auto financing, home loans and small business loans. The following are a few tips about how you can protect and improve your credit rating.

1 – Order Your Credit Report.
Your credit score is based on your credit report, so you should begin by ordering your reports and reviewing each one for accuracy. You can get your reports from a service such as MyFico.com, or order from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union separately online or by phone.

2 – Check Your Credit Report Information for Inaccuracies.
Check the identifying information for name, social security number, birth date and incorrect address. Make certain that old negatives and paid-off debts are deleted. Check for accounts and delinquencies that are not yours, late payments, charge offs, lawsuits, judgments or paid tax liens older than seven years old. Also, paid liens or judgments that are listed as unpaid, duplicate collections, bankruptcies that are older than ten years and any negative information that is not yours.

3 – Always Pay Your Bills on Time.
Payment history makes up more than a third of the typical credit score. If you paid bills late in the past, you can improve your credit score by starting to pay your bills on time. Lenders are looking for any sign that you might default, and a late payment is a good indicator that you are in financial difficulty.

4 – Keep Credit Cards Balances Low.
Carrying smaller balances is the best way to increase your credit score. The score measures how much of your limit you use on each credit card or other line of credit, and how much of your combined credit limits you are using on all your cards. Within 60 days, paying down credit card balances can increase your credit score by as much as 20 points.

5 – Try Not to Open In-Store Credit Cards.
Although your first credit accounts can serve to build and improve your credit history, there comes a point when each subsequent credit application can reduce your score. New credit cards reduce the age of your credit history, and a department store credit card isn’t good evidence of credit worthiness. Every time you apply for a retailer’s credit card your credit store gets dinged.

6 – Be Conservative When Applying For Credit.
Having at least one credit card that’s more than 2 years old can help your score by 15 percent. Make sure that your credit report is checked only when necessary. Or, if you are shopping for a home, try to apply for loans within a two-week period. By keeping the loan process within a two-week period, all of the credit report lookups are seen as one single request.

7 – Don’t Close Credit Cards or Other Revolving Accounts.
Shutting down unused accounts that have outstanding balances without paying off the debt changes your “utilization ratio,” which is the amount of your total debt divided by your total available credit. It will reduce the gap between the credit you are using and the total credit available to you, and that can hurt your credit score.

G. L. Bycz is the founder and developer of www.consolidate-credit-card.net an online source for free tips and information on credit card debt consolidation, refinancing loans, debt management programs and financial planning.

Have You Checked Your Permanent Record Lately?

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

As a young student I feared getting bad grades because I didn’t want any bad marks on my “permanent record.” Get an “F” in fifth-grade science and it goes in your record. Act up in Mrs. Brown’s class? Yep, it’s in your record too. Get caught using a swear word and it’s not only in your permanent record but it goes right at the top! When you go to a parochial school like I did, you come to believe that there really is some mysterious file that follows you for the rest of your life.

Want to know a secret? There really IS a permanent file that follows you through life, but it has nothing to do with grammar school grades or activities. The real “permanent record” you need to be concerned about as an adult is your credit record! You should check your credit record on a regular basis, especially if you are planning on making a major purchase such as a car or home.

Your credit report or credit profile is a record of your credit activities. It lists your credit card accounts and loans, your account balances, and whether or not you make your payments on time. Your credit report is used by potential lenders to evaluate your creditworthiness. Credit reports have also been used by insurance companies to determine what rates you will pay for your insurance policies.

Reviewing your credit report can help you avoid costly errors. In one recent study, more than 50% of the credit reports checked contained errors. Other studies have shown similar results with as high as a 70% error rate. The most common error occurs when the information of another person, with a similar name or account number, is recorded in your credit profile.

A more serious problem occurs when someone gains access to your personal information and commits identity theft. Identity theft has become the fastest growing crime in our nation. Identity theft complaints jumped 75% from last year according to a recent Federal Trade Commission report. The monetary loss from identity theft crimes skyrocketed to a combined $53 billion in 2002! Accounts that appear on your credit report that weren’t opened by you could be a sign of identity theft.

For a thorough review of your credit profile, you need to check with all three major credit reporting agencies (CRA’s) : Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Information can vary between the three CRA’s and it’s important to make sure each has accurate and up-to-date information regarding your credit history.

Once you have your credit report, start by checking the accuracy of your personal information: your name, your social security number, address(es), etc.

Next , examine the accounts listed in your credit history. This section lists your accounts with creditors and your payment history with them. It is important to read this entire section and make sure the information is complete and has been reported correctly. Report any errors immediately to the credit reporting agency for investigation and correction.

Finally, check the number and frequency of credit inquiries to your file. Make sure that all the inquiries were authorized by you. Potential creditors who see a high number of inquiries in a short period of time may consider you a high risk and deny you credit.

Make it a habit to check your credit report annually. Doing so can save you time, money and future credit problems down the line.

About The Author: James H. Dimmitt

© 2004, http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com

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