Vedic Math - An Easy Solution By Trevor Johnson

The Vedas were written between 1500-900 BCE in India. These ancient writings deal with the human knowledge and experience of the time. Contained in this knowledge, are writings on the principles of mathematics. The principles contained in the Vedas are considered to be the basic knowledge for algebra, square and cube roots and the concept of zero. Vedic mathematics, while generally unknown to the average westerner provides both a simple and quick means for the calculation of numbers. Those unfamiliar with Vedic math, can quickly familiarize themselves with the subject by doing a quick Google search.

Vedic mathematics is based on word formulas that can be utilized to calculate a complete range of mathematical problems. These word formulas are expressed as "sutras". Among these word formulas are "All from nine and the last from 10"; "By one more than the one before". All of the formulae are easily memorized and can actually make mathematics simple.

Examples of calculations from these sutras can be expressed as follows. To subtract 524 from 1000, the "All from nine and the last from 10" sutra is applied. Subtract 5 from 9 equaling 4, 2 from 9, equaling 7 and 4 from 10 equaling 6. The answer is 476. To find the square of 65, apply the sutra "By one more than the one before". Add one digit to the 6 and then multiply by 6 (6+1)*6=42 then multiply the 5 with 5 (5*5)=25 the answer is 4225. A calculator easily checks this and the formula works with all numbers ending in 5.

The memorization of the Vedic Mathematical sutras allows anyone to be a whiz at mathematics. The application of the sutras allows complex mathematical formula to be calculated without pencil, paper or a calculator. This ability once mastered will provide almost everyone, even those without a mathematical aptitude an invaluable aid in performing everyday mathematical calculations.

Find out more about vedic math and how you can easily perform seemingly complicated mental arithmetic in your head.

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Effective Study Space - Where to Study? By Sarah Schlott

So, you finally have a dorm room or apartment. While it is most likely the most convenient place to study, it is often one of the worst places chosen to conduct study. Your dorm room or apartment is filled with mounds of distractions and speed bumps.

Lying down on the bed to read or study makes you tired as a stuffed Turkey at Thanksgiving dinner! If you want to study effectively and make straight As in your college career, then develop a place to study that is just that - a place to work and learn about academics (a park, the library, etc.) Studies show that setting aside a special place in which to study will help you recall to memory important information.

A recent study put out from Penn State suggests that while finding a good place to study is partly a matter of personal taste, there are most certainly environments that are more conducive to effective studying. What is more important than your personal preference is finding a place that gives you the greatest amount of concentration and the fewest distractions because the level of effective learning drops every time your concentration is interrupted during your study session. Try to stay away from environments that create disturbances from other people, television, stereos, games and loud outbursts of noise. Selecting an environment with few distractions will enable you to focus your energy on studying rather than blocking out all the distractions.

Psychologists recommend picking two to three possible environments, as any given choice may present greater distractions on any given day. It is suggested that a maximum of three choices are selected in order to create a deep conditioning effect between you and your place of study. When you become familiar with your environment and begin creating habitual study practices within your chosen area, potential distractions are dramatically reduced. When this occurs you can train your mind to settle quickly into its "study" mode and remain focused during the duration of your session.

It is also important to keep your physical needs in mind while choosing a successful place to study in order to increase your learning success. Consider such concerns as lighting, temperature, furniture and space. It is important to remember that these environmental conditions must be comfortable with out putting you to sleep and must encourage alertness without distraction.

Above all else go into your "study space" with a clear mind and determination to study. If you think you will be distracted or are not determined to study, then you will be easily disappointed and will spend double the time blocking out distractions and will commit to memory less than half the potential information. And college hours are much more precious than that!

For more information on specific strategies for staying motivated, improving your test scores and studying more effectively for college visit http://www.lifestyleguardianpro.com

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Pompey the Great By Glen F

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as Pompey the Great (106-48 BC), son of Pompeius Strabo, and one of the great military leaders of the late Roman Republic. He is of great importance in that his unconstitutional career provided many precedents for that of Octavian a generation later. Following his father's death, he threw in his lot with Sulla, raising a private army of three legions at his own expense.

After defeating Sulla's opponents in Sicily and Africa, Sulla allowed him a triumph 80 BC and given the surname Magnus ("the Great"), although he was not even a member of the senate.

He continued to serve the senatorial party after Sulla's death, defeated the Marian forces in Spain, and crushed remnants of Spartacus' slave revolt and he earned a second triumph. Although he was legally ineligible, Pompey demanded a consulship, and the assembly elected him consul for 70 BC, without having first been quaestor and praetor with Marcus Licinius Crassus as his colleague.

By now the Optimates were growing highly suspicious of Pompey, and the Senate did not vote him a normal proconsular province for 69 BC. However, in 67 BC a tribune, Gabinius, passed a law through the People, giving Pompey a command to clear the Mediterranean of pirates. This command was unprecedented, in that it gave Pompey authority greater than that of the governors in every province with a Mediterranean coast. Pompey destroyed the pirates in six weeks, conducting a vast sweeping operation from west to east.

The next year he was given unprecedented powers to subdue Mithridates VI of Pontus. Pompey took over the command held by Lucullus against Mithridates. Lucullus had been within sight of victory over Mithridates when his troops mutinied, and Pompey had no difficulty in completing the task. Pompey destroyed the Pontic army, and in the next four years he conquered eastern Asia Minor, Syria, and Jerusalem. His political settlements expanded Roman influence throughout the East.

In 62 BC he returned to Rome, celebrated a third triumph, rashly disbanded his army, and asked the Senate to ratify his eastern settlement, and grant land to his retiring veterans. Opposition to Pompey in the Senate was now strong (moreover he had divorced Mucia, forfeiting the support of the Metelli), and the Senate refused both these requests.

Pompey retaliated by joining Crassus and Julius Caesar in the First Triumvirate, a political alliance against the senate. He supported Caesar's candidature for the consulship of 59 BC, and in return Caesar succeeded in passing the legislation Pompey needed. To cement the alliance, Pompey married Caesar's daughter Julia.

The next ten years see Pompey in an awkward situation, but maintaining himself with great skill. In the Roman Republic of his day, it was easier to reach a position of eminence than to defend it against rivals. Pompey is sometimes criticised (and pitied) for allowing Caesar to build up his power, while being at a loss what to do himself; but there was little he could do to stop Caesar conquering Gaul.

In 57 BC he was put in charge of the corn supply for five years-an opportunity to improve his standing with the people of Rome.

Pompey agreed to renew the alliance in 56 B.C. After serving as consul with Crassus the next year, he received a five-year proconsulship to govern Spain. Defying Caesar, he ruled from Rome through legates. The death of Julia in 54 B.C. and of Crassus the next year further alienated Pompey and Caesar.

Civil disorders prevented elections in Rome, so the Senate made him sole consul in 52 BC, and allowed him to hold his provincial command in Spain for a further five years in absentia. By contrast, the Senate insisted that Caesar should resign his command before returning to stand as consul.

Caesar refused and crossed the Rubicon in 49 B.C.

The Senate looked to Pompey to defend the republic.

Leading the forces opposed to Julius Caesar in the civil war of 49-48 BC, Pompey eventually retreated to Greece and was defeated by Caesar at Pharsalus.

Had Pompey won the civil war, as he very nearly did, his position would have been that of Octavian 17 years later. As it was, he lost, fled to Egypt, where Ptolemy XIII ordered him killed to gain Caesar's favor. He died in Pelusium, Egypt, 48 B.C.

While Pompey saw the disintegration of the Republic it would be a few more years before it was completely replaced by the Empire.

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