Friday, December 31, 2010

Simple Tips To Improve Your Memory

So you keep forgetting the place where you have kept your spectacles every time these days? You try searching every nook and corner only to find it dangling over your forehead. These situations don't just make you a laughing stock but also question the state of mind. Such things when occur on everyday basis, would look and be disgusting to you and everyone around you. Quite many people have the memory loss syndrome and this typically depends upon the frequency of forgetfulness.

The demanding lifestyle of today's era is so pressurizing that one hardly has time for oneself leading to slipping of important and generic information from the specified schedule. Adding to this, people's diet today does nothing to replenish the mind or body. Our unhealthy lifestyles without ample exercises have brought us to implement our robotic existence. Robots are mere computers and can work as they have been programmed, however the brain in humans would require right diets, healthy habits and proper exercise for better memory functioning.

Read below to know different ways of having memory improved.

Exercising is indispensible and should be done regularly to keep your body and mind attentive and active as every healthy body houses a healthy brain. You can also brush up your memory by actively taking part in different games and brain teasers to keep the brain alert. An easy memory game, "Memory" can be played with a deck of playing cards. This game can be played with as many as four people or less as playing all alone.

All you need to do is spreading of cards evenly on the surface, and then lift a card to match the characters. When the characters don't match, keep the card from where it was taken and wait for a few chances till a match is appropriate remembering where the previous card was kept among all the other cards of the deck. Person matching more number of cards wins. If you prefer playing with words, try playing scrabble or any such word games which could actively challenge your memory by shaking up your vocabulary cache trove.

Many such games help to improve not just memory but also psychological functioning. Knowing new tactics and skills help in challenging the motor capacity of the brain. You can also join a language learning school for learning another language. Apart from this learning to play instruments could also get your brain more involving with ample mental exercise. More than anything, many computer games are being developed which could prove to be challenging and refreshing to your mind.

The developing co ordination between hand and mind is very helpful for motor development. Yoga and exercise assists to keep a fresh mind by helping the concentration power being developed via meditation. This would help your body in two ways, i.e., by relaxing the body and structuring the alert system. The circulation of blood gets better helping to relax the brain improving its efficiency.

An equally significant substance of your physical well being for brain and body is relaxation. Any minor stress would lead to loss of memory and making it difficult for focusing. Quite many serious problems concerning stress call for physical test by doctors. These cases could lead to problems involving insomnia deteriorating mental health and making memorizing miserable.

People's busy schedule hardly allows them to keep in terms with their brain and body. This leads to destabilize various memory functions. The brain gets involved in several things at a time and just about concentrating on a single thing makes memory pace terrible. Therefore, in order to pacify memory we would initially need to change our lifestyles, indulging in better health practices which includes healthy eating and regular exercising.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Solving Math Problems

Solving math problems is easier when you have the right resources.

But, what are the right resources?

The answer depends on WHO you are, WHAT you are trying to accomplish, and WHY.

Are you looking for specific information which will be used one time; or comprehensive, in-depth understanding which you will use in the future?

For example, if you are a student looking for an immediate answer to a narrowly tailored problem, you need one type of resource. If you are a parent trying to ensure your child has a thorough understanding of the concepts being covered in school, you probably need another type of resource.

OR, if you are simply preparing meal and need to know how to convert measurements from table spoons to millilitres, you need still another kind of resource. If you are trying to calculate the interest payments on a new car loan, you probably need something else.

In addition to these reasons, some people solve math problems for their own enjoyment - and for no other reason. These people like brain teasers, puzzles, and complex problems to solve. It relaxes them. They probably need another type of resource.

The list of possibilities is endless, and so are the answers.

This leads us to another type of question: HOW ACCURATE does the information need to be? Can the final answer be rounded? Is a rule of thumb answer adequate for your needs, or do you need an answer with 10 decimal places?

HOW SPECIFIC does the information need to be? Are you looking for general information, or a specific solution to a particular problem?

HOW MUCH TIME can you devote to reading, listening to, or viewing the answer to your questions? If you cannot spend much time trying to understand the resource you are using, you need something that gets right to the point.

HOW SHOULD THE INFORMATION BE DELIVERED? Is a verbal explanation OK - or do you need a formal written presentation, or a video?

Also ask yourself: WHEN do you need the information you are seeking? Immediately? Within the next week? Within the next 6 months? On a continuous, on-going basis?

WHERE do you want the information? On a piece of paper? In your computer? On video?

Assuming you have already answered these questions in your own mind, what's the next step? Look at the kind of resources that are available. Match them to your needs.

Math resources come in many forms. They are available in textbooks, from Tutors, from school teachers, in videos, in games, in notes you have taken, in calculators, on the internet through a myriad of software links, through practice worksheets, through tests you can give yourself, through manipulatives, through graphing software and equation solvers, math camps, interactive media of all kinds.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Building the Einstein Brain in Your Baby is Easy

A few weeks after conception, your baby's brain is already on its way to being developed. Several months before child birth, your baby's brain could already do basic functions. Your role in enhancing your baby's brain and developing it further starts as soon as child birth and continues throughout his life, or at least until he starts learning on his own.

According to Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory, there are about seven different types of intelligence - linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Some people can excel in all things involving math while others may have the gift of tongue. How we develop which intelligence would depend on how we were reared as a child.

Toys such as alphabet blocks and story books with large pictures can help your child develop his linguistic intelligence. For toddlers, you can give them toys that talk and say the alphabet and numbers out loud. Your child can them repeat after them. On the other hand, musical intelligence can be enhanced by crib mobiles that come with music as well as baby rattles. These toys give your baby a first-hand experience on how sound is produced.

Your visual-spatial intelligence can be enhanced with the use of building blocks or clay. Older children can be given puzzles to solve. You might also want to try handing your child a few drawing tools which they could use to draw what's on their mind. A trip to a nearby park can also enhance your child's visual intelligence.

If you want to enhance your child's logical-mathematical abilities, you might want to try giving him or her building blocks. Older children can be given construction sets as well as experiment sets. Rubik's cube is another way by which you can enhance your child's intelligence as well as toys that allow your child to mix and match. Computer games that feature cause-and-effect activities can also help enhance his or her way of thinking. A trip to the local museum can also help hone their intelligence.

Children with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence can participate in physical activities such as running around, scavenger hunts, dancing, etc. For babies, activities could include walking around, crawling and dancing about. They could also be given construction sets, building blocks and even clay.

On the other hand, enhancing your child's interpersonal skills would involve make-believe games. You can also allow them to act out characters from story books that you have read to them. On the other hand, puzzles and some quiet time for reflection, observation and analysis of things are just what your child needs in order to enhance his intrapersonal skills. Older children can be given puzzle books as well as brain teasers for them to work on.

Your child's brain can absorb thousands of information during the first three years of his or her life. Take advantage of this phase of his or her life by giving him or her toys that would help in the development of his or her brain. The more types of toys he or she is exposed to, the higher the chances of him developing his intelligence.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Indoor Games to Play With Your Dog

During long, cold winters, dogs and their owners may need a little more exercise. This article shows you some fun ways you can play with your dog indoors.

Some of you may have been told never to play tug of war with a dog. The fear is that it might make a dog aggressive or aggravate any possessive tendencies. Other trainers feel that there is nothing wrong with the game, as long as you follow certain rules:

1)The toy you choose must be long enough to avoid accidental injury. A thick rope with knots in the middle is good.

2)Play tug toys only with a specified toy. Teach your dog a command such as "drop it" or "leave it" before you start playing. (It's a good idea to do this even if you never intend to play tug. That way if he wants to play with your shoe, you can simply ask him to drop it.) Never try to pull anything away from the dog, use your command instead.

3)You must be in control of the game. You decide when to play. Keep the toy out of sight in between games. You should win at least most of the time. When you decide you've had enough, simply say "that's enough" and ask the dog to "drop it." Always stop immediately if the dog gets too excited or puts his mouth on your hand.

Another game you can play is hide and seek. There are two ways to play this game; either you can hide and encourage your dog to find you, or you can hide toys or treats around the house and ask the dog to find them.

If you are to be the target, simply have the dog stay while you go into another room. At first don't go far, and hide in an easy spot. Then call the dog with "Come find me!" or something like that.

Continue to call as long as you need to. Reward the dog for finding you with treats, excited praise, belly rubs ' anything he loves. Once your dog gets the idea, you can hide in more difficult spots, and call less often.

To use treats or toys as the objects to find, start by hiding a treat under or behind something while your dog watches, then exclaim, "Find it!" in an excited voice. Once he gets the rules of the game, have the dog stay in one room while you hide treats in another.

If your dog likes to use his nose, try hiding the treats inside shoes, under rugs, between couch cushions and places like that. For other dogs you may want to put most of the treats in plain view.

Break up large treats so that you are not giving him too many. Toys can be used if your dog has a strong prey drive, or if the he is overweight.

You can also try some brain teasers with your dog. For one, find three boxes of the same size. Have the dog sit and stay, facing the boxes. Place a treat inside or underneath an overturned box.

Release the dog and allow him to find the box the treat is in. Eventually you can begin hiding the treat with the dog facing away from the boxes.

Here's another puzzle the dog can work on. Place a morsel of food on a flat plate. Cover the plate with a towel or inverted foil pie tin. If using the tin, make a small lip in it so the dog can smell the food. If the dog is good at working things out, he should soon at least try to get the towel or pie tin off of the plate to get to the food.

You can increase the difficulty by placing the plate under a chair or other obstacle. Give him a way to get it out, such as placing it on a towel or attaching a rope to the plate. Don't let the dog get too frustrated with these games ' if he's not quite up to it, help him along and let him have the treat anyway.

There are toys that you can buy that will keep the dog busy on his own. A number of toys are now made to dispense treats. These are balls or cubes in which you place small treats. When the toy is jostled or turned over, out come the treats. The dog's dinner can even be fed from these toys so that she isn't overeating.

Other interactive toys available are puzzle toys. These are similar to those made for toddlers. Instead of putting the toy back together however, the dog takes it apart - something many dogs naturally love to do. Most of these are plush toys, and might not be suitable for some aggressive chewers.

These are just a few suggestions, use your imagination and your dog's abilities to come up with even more games you can play indoors.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Watch Your Circulation Figures Soar With Sudoku

If you are in the business of publishing a magazine or newspaper, you should know by now there is nothing more important than improving your circulation figures. Attracting a large number of readers and subscribers usually translate to bigger revenue as advertisers would see your publication as a worthwhile marketing medium.

Now, keeping your readers interested while still attracting new subscribers can be a bit challenging considering the tough competition in the publishing industry. Although your magazine or newspaper targets a particular sector of the community - women, youth, professionals, etc - and focused on a particular subject like business or financial news, fashion and health, gardening, you will surely want to include content which will be of interest to all types of people. This is where Sudoku puzzles can play an important role.

A simple numbers game, which does not require any reference material or certain IQ level, Sudoku is stimulating and fun. All you need is your pen or pencil and you can get away for a short while and get lost in the world of numbers. Adding daily Sudoku puzzles to your publication will certainly be a smart move on your part. You can bet that even individuals who usually think twice about buying your publication will now buy immediately once they see that you have a free Sudoku game.

As for generating revenue, advertisers are always on the lookout for popular publication since it would allow their products to get the most exposure. If they saw that your circulation figures are among the highest, then you can be sure to receive a call from them informing you of their interest to advertise in your newspaper or magazine. Obviously, this will mean additional revenue!

You will be surprised at how easy it is to attract a new breed of readers by using Sudoku. All you need to do now is to find a reputable provider. It would be a good idea to look for one who offers syndication services. This way, you enjoy benefits such as online solution to your puzzles, different levels of difficulty and even a permanent back link to your website. If you want, you can also feature Sudoku puzzles on your website to attract online visitors and generate more traffic as well.

Adding daily Sudoku puzzles is not the only way you can attract and keep your readers' interest but it is certainly simple, fuss-free and cost-efficient. Some content providers offers their puzzles with unique serial numbers. This will enable your readers to access the particular puzzle online which adds a convenient touch for them. As a whole it makes so much sense and yours to enjoy for just a relatively small fee!

As a publisher, you need to pay attention to the content of your newspaper or magazine. Your readers are expecting to be stimulated and entertained when they purchase your publication. Not surprisingly, the relationship you have with your readers is related to your advertising revenue - more happy readers equal more advertisers.

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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Why Study Math? Linear Equations and the Point-Slope Form

As we saw in the article "Why Study Math? - Linear Equations and Slope-Intercept Form," linear equations or functions are some of the more basic ones studied in algebra and basic mathematics. Here we are going to take a look at and examine another common way of writing linear equations: the point-slope form.

As the name implies, the point-slope form for the equation of a line depends on two things: the slope, and a given point on the line. Once we know these two things, we can write the equation of the line. In mathematical terms, the point-slope form of the equation of the line which passes through the given point (x1, y1) with a slope of m, is y - y1 = m(x - x1). (The 1 after the x and y is actually a subscript which allows us to distinguish x1 from x and y1 from y.)

To show how this form is used, take a look at the following example: Suppose we have a line which has slope 3 and passes through the point (1, 2). We can easily graph this line by locating the point (1, 2) and then use the slope of 3 to go 3 units up and then 1 unit to the right. To write the equation of the line, we use a clever little device. We introduce the variables x and y as a point (x,y). In the point-slope form y - y1 = m(x - x1), we have (1, 2) as the point (x1, y1). We then write y - 2 = 3(x - 1). By using the distributive property on the right hand side of the equation, we can write y - 2 = 3x - 3. By bringing the -2 over to the right side, we can write
y = 3x -1. If you have not already recognized it, this latter equation is in slope-intercept form.

To see how this form of the equation of a line is used in a real world application, take the following example, the information of which was taken from an article that appeared in a newspaper. It turns out that temperature affects running speed. In fact, the best temperature for running is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If a person ran optimally at 17.6 feet per second, he or she would slow by about 0.3 feet per second for every 5 degree increase in temperature above 60 degrees. We can use this information to write the linear model for this situation and then calculate, let us say, the optimal running pace at 80 degrees.

Let T represent the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Let P represent the optimal pace in feet per second. From the information in the article, we know that the optimal running pace at 60 degrees is 17.6 feet per second. Thus one point is (60, 17.6). Let's use the other information to determine the slope of the line for this model. The slope m is equal to the change in pace over the change in temperature, or m = change in P/change in T. We are told that the pace slows by 0.3 feet per second for every increase in 5 degrees above 60. A decrease is represented by a negative. Using this information we can calculate the slope at -0.3/5 or -0.06.

Now that we have a point and the slope, we can write the model which represents this situation. We have P - P1 = m(T - T1) or P - 17.6 = -0.06(T - 60). Using the distributive property we can put this equation into slope-intercept form. We obtain P = -0.06T + 21.2. To find the optimal pace at 80 degrees, we need only substitute 80 for T in the given model to get 16.4.

Situations like these show that math is really used to solve problems that occur in the world. Whether we are talking about optimal running pace or maximal profits, math is the key to unlocking our potential toward understanding the world around us. And when we understand, we are empowered. What a nice way to exist!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Fun Experiments To Do On Your Brain

Ready for some fun experiments on your brain? Don't worry, you can try these at home. They are perfectly safe, and they will help you demonstrate brainpower.

Fun Experiments

1. Sing to access your right brain.

It is easier to rhyme when you're singing, because you are working from the part of your brain that recognizes patterns (usually the right hemisphere). Try a singing experiment. First try making a rhyming poem about something that happened today. Work on this for just a minute or two. Then try it again, but sing the poem as you make it up.

Most people find that they can easily find rhyming words when singing. You can also make a song up to remember things. Singing may help to activate your right-brain when you are working on a problem involving spatial reasoning. This last suggestion is speculative, but it can be a fun experiment to try, and no harm should come from singing.

2. Consciously control autonomic body functions.

Your pupils get bigger when it is darker, but they also get bigger when you see something you like. In fact, they get larger if you just vividly imagine something you like. Try this experiment right now. Go to the mirror and watch your eyes as you imagine someone you like, a favorite food, or anything you would like to see.

You should see your pupils quickly grow in size. Imagine different scenes to see which work best. With practice, you can train yourself to consciously change your pupil size at will. Looking towards a light in the room will make your pupils smaller again, by the way. There are ways to use this eye-trick, but for our now, it is just a way to demonstrate how you can consciously control what is normally an unconscious body function. (There are also techniques for controlling the heart rate as well.)

3. Try fun experiments to motivate yourself.

Ever feel like you just can't work, or your brain just won't wake up? Try a simple experiment on yourself. Simply talk about your plans, or anything you are passionate about. When I'm stuck staring at the keyboard, I might talk about the next mountain I am going to climb here in Colorado, and suddenly I have the mental energy to get back to writing.

Try different topics, because what works for each of us will be different. You can even try this experiment on friends. When they are in a bad mood, have them explain something to you that they are passionate about. The process will change the chemicals in their brains, and so change their state of mind. Experiment to find the topics that work best - for them and yourself - and remember them for future use.

Fun experiments or just useful ones? Either way, there is no harm in trying these and other simple experiments to learn how to better use your brain.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Printable Games an Alternative to Free Offline Games

Free printable games are a revolutionary an innovative way to learn and enjoy at the same time. These Games are easily accessible in a printable form with just a touch of button. One does not need to access online to play games. The online games are complicated and expensive where as printable games is rational being free. It is said that games are like enigma. The main targets of these games are to attract children of any age. Mothers who want to inculcate playing and learning habits in their growing children to enhance their ability for future. Home schooled children can benefit a lot from it because they can learn while playing without anyone's direction. Teachers who want to teach students innovatory can take a great idea from free printable games. Parents who want to entrench learning practices in their children must opt for printable games.

Free Printable games provide fun language-building skill, reasoning skills and challenge brain of children, teens and adults. Whether you're a teacher looking for ways to help your students build their vocabulary skills or a grownup who simply loves to play with language, reasoning and puzzle printable games provide entertainment and learning. This helps player develop facility and skill. You can print each day a game and collect a collection. Children, adolescents and adult all can find something interesting for them to play.

The Internet is full of web sites offering hundreds of free printable games so try the following:-
Crossword puzzle enhances the ability to stimulate the mind by answering clues and vocabulary.
Brain Teasers: it challenges your mind to test your skills and helps to improve it.
Puzzle: jigsaw puzzle is the most famous puzzles of all.
Word Search: it helps to construct words which especially help children above the age 5 to learn new word building.
Maze: a game which is constructed like a muddle where a player sits on his seat travels from start to end with its own imagination.
Sudoku: this game is all about calculating and filling the grids in such manner that in each row, column and block the digits enter one time each.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Refine the understanding of puzzle games

Puzzle games are very popular these days to help sharpen the mind. Games are interesting and surprising. There are various puzzles and quizzes, the active assistance in the preparation of the brain. It produces a sense of excitement for players. The puzzles are interesting, then, to the spirit of the Games. There are several puzzles that can be recovered easily reproduced.

The puzzles are of different types and styles. These puzzles are availablepuzzle books, magazines, newspapers or the Internet. There are a number of puzzles to play, one of the spirit, words, numbers, sorting, puzzles, riddles and puzzles fun. These puzzles are great, exciting and surprising. They consume interesting, stimulating, and refreshing time.

jigsaw puzzle classics are among the most popular type of entertainment. There is no sorrow for the loss of points. The aim is thus solve the puzzles of the brain with high speedtime trial in which the mystery was solved. These puzzles now with great graphics and design with outstanding features and technology. Word Brain Games are for players who are interested, Word teasers. Word puzzles are good source of entertainment that can be played with a group of people who are children, adults, seniors.

The main objective of these games is to increase the power and word vocabulary of the players. Games are for players imagearchitect who owns the creative spirit surrender type skill. In these games is very interesting when you make a certain picture or is to have a model. The players have put photos and create large blocks in the form of basic shapes such as rectangular, numerical puzzles, etc. have high demand in the brain game-lovers.

It helps develop the level of aptitude of children growing up. The largest segment of the Sudoku number puzzle game which has a largePopular in recent years. The main objective of the puzzle is to increase the numerical arithmetic skills of the players. Crossword Puzzle Brain Games are the oldest games aimed at solving crosswords. They are the oldest, and today these puzzles are published in newspapers and magazines. There are different levels of crosswords. In fact, online crossword puzzle after selecting the difficulty level to play to play a request. Are now available online crossword puzzle game with the newStrategies.

Puzzle games enhance the creative spirit and the mind of the reader. analysis capabilities, increasing in these games. By solving puzzles, players develop decision-making and power of analysis to resolve the dilemmas in real life. It 's very good for growth of children in developing countries, their spirit and mind. to help the logic and reasoning in games more intelligent players and the growing level intelligent quotient. It helps to improve the strategic technicaland updating arithmetic and language skills. Therefore, these puzzles good way to improve skills.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Want to Be mentally tough? Try Meditation

When we talk about mental fitness games, brain teasers, puzzles and brain are often the first things that come to mind. But we know that meditation is also a great way to build your mental strength?

A study of the Marines SU has been conducted has shown that regular meditation promotes mental health and the results can be seen in just two months.

The study of the University of Pennsylvania conducted involved 48 soldiers who haveIn Iraq. The group was divided into two groups. The first group of 31 men have been trained mental two hours a week and was required to record the time devoted to meditation exercises outside of class. The men remained in the second group received no training. Date After eight weeks, all men were evaluated with the RAM voltage operation and the allocation of its moods with the program of positive and negative affects.

MindfulnessThe training of the soldiers involved traditional exercises such as breathing and meditation training, which has been adapted to their needs. This includes equipping them with skills that stress during pre-deployment training and skills to manage help increase resistance to stress face.

Stress is known to impair memory and cause mental and emotional disorders. Previous research has suggested that meditation may have a protective functionEffect against cognitive and emotional disorders. The results of this study have confirmed the benefits of exercise could get out of this ancient method.

At the end of the training period, the men of the first group, which employs mindfulness exercises regularly after school, not only better in memory tests, but also experienced less negative mood.

On the other hand, men who received no training, as well as those who meditate, but spent much time on theirtheir decreased memory and an increase in negative emotional experiences such as fear anger and disgust.

"Our results suggest that, as will daily exercise on physical fitness, engage in mindfulness exercises regularly can improve your fitness mind," says cognitive neuroscientist Amish Jha, the principal investigator of this project.

"Working memory is an important feature of the fitness mind. Not only is insured against the diversion andemotional reactivity, but also provides a mental work fast and thoughtful decisions and action plans to ensure. Building awareness in the spirit fitness training can help those who need high performance in the face of extremely stressful circumstances, the first responders, humanitarian workers and trauma surgeons to maintain professional and Olympic athletes. "

Scientists have proposed in this study that the benefits of training because of his awareness may impact on working conditionsMemory. By increasing the capacity of working memory, meditation reduces the destructive effects of stress caused.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Do not Lose It - Try Brain Exercises Today

Brain exercises are the latest news. Why you should train your brain? The exploration of the brain with age, suggesting the brain is like a muscle in your body. If you are not using your brain and challenge functions deteriorate.

The brain begins to lose their capacity in about 30 of age! Pretty scary! However, if you take care of your brain active and challenge, these losses are usually invice versa, and the results obtained.

Most of us use .... But I know that I am guilty of not keeping my brain in tip top condition. So now what can I do to my brain back on track?

Of course there are many factors that contribute to the health of the total general brain health, nutrition, stress, environment, such as sleep and much more. This article is available on which options are to keep the brain active with the brainExercises.

Printed puzzles, puzzle games and exercises you can do some really simple things like checking on the back of the newspaper:

Crossword
Sudoku
Puzzle
Puzzle
Word Search
Picture puzzle

specialized books, with collections of puzzles are also a popular choice. The key is to do it regularly.

All these things help the brain active in slightly different ways. I know that if I kept thisregular daily crossword puzzle I was shocked to find a pick-up and as I was to dissolve slowly. In our busy lives, we are struggling to keep these things.

Nintendo DS is based brain training games and exercises

Some years ago Brain Training on Nintendo DS is the world by storm. Many parents have bought these games for their children, but was employed for years to improve and maintain your brain! Brain Age and Big BrainAcademy (another game for Nintendo DS) are firmly in our family, but have their limits - the key for me was a regular access to Nintendo, and also that my children could check my brain age!

software-based computer

The software is available for your computer. They can be purchased and installed or downloaded from the Internet. The choice of this comes down to personal preference. Normally these programs are only for aAppearance of exercises or brain injury to provide specialized areas such as patients with brain. They are generally quite expensive.

To keep your brain function, you always have the same games and programs. After a first plurality of activity, I found it heavy to be a habit.

Online Brain Exercise Programs

Online training programs of the brain are divided into two categories - free and paid subscriptions.

There are somegames are pretty good that you can access online for free. Some of these brain exercises are simple free games, some seem to have some science behind them and there are others who should be the future of paid subscriptions, but they are currently in beta testing.

In general, free games are not designed, but can be very funny - while the paid subscriptions have varying degrees of structure and feedback.

Paid brain exercise programs have someDifferences. The most you can try the games without the program or comment, or offer a free trial period. Everyone has different tastes. I like challenges, I do not feel stressed out, the more they take different amounts of time so that you have in your usage factor.

What will you do?

How do you use? Or you lose?

There's really no excuse not to exercise your brain by:

paper with a game
use some of theBrain Games free out there on the web
Join a training program of the brain that guides the user through a personal trainer.

The key is to find out which type fits your lifestyle and regularly make a difference in the long term for your gray matter.

Do your brain a favor today - Challenge fun!

Monday, December 20, 2010

3D puzzle toys such as Amazing optical illusions

Three-dimensional or 3D puzzle the illusion of depth, width and height, is known as three-dimensional or 3D. Anything that affects this illusion is applied one of the most exciting optical illusions, which are to be for real. These amazing toys have attracted the interest of young adults and children. The wooden puzzles have three-dimensional effects makes it interesting and fun.

3D three-dimensional puzzle or givePerson's perception of the views of these types of toys to more realistic levels. The concept of this toy has increased the imagination of players. These toys are great puzzles for children and adults. toys like these can enhance the fantasy of every person to them. Their appearance can be very interesting puzzle individually.

Most of these toys are not glue stick, or when it is mounted. You can simply complete Built bythe pieces together. Other species are putting the puzzle pieces or be completely glued together into a whole object. These species are used in various shapes and sizes with different types of materials such as foam or wood. may be there are so many shapes and sizes of these 3D puzzles that fit young adults and children. In some classical pieces that have become a pastime for some fans of the puzzle come. Because of her extraordinary appeal that can make good house designs.

E '3D puzzles are magnetic, which did not offer a lot of fun and entertainment for children but also for adults. A child playing with toys, as they are able to develop his mental skills to solve a problem as simple as the execution of the pieces together and to improve the recognition of shapes and colors. The fundamental vision and touch in a good exercise to share with this toy.

It 'very interesting and a great pleasure to see a child play. Child's playlogical part of the brain is tapped and brought to this mental challenge. toys like this are good materials for schools and residential child IQ can be considered as relevant tools for the motor skills of a child to develop 3D puzzle toys.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

If crossword puzzles, enough to boost your brain power?

Cells can be heard to solve crossword puzzles every day is a great way to strengthen your brain. It is to be helpful. But scientists also learned that the brain needs new experiences to be the best. Only the same thing over and over again is not as effective as you might think.

Sharpbrains.com is a market research and consulting firm that helps individuals, companies and providers of health services remain on the latest research in brainFitness. Their website gives this advice extraordinary

"The meaning of a brain is precisely to learn and adapt to new environments. Once new neurons appear in your brain, where they remain in your brain and how long they survive, is to use them." Use it or lose it does not mean "do crossword puzzle number 1,234,567". It means, "challenge your brain often with fundamentally new activities".

The well-known senior Organization formerly known as Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons, Dr. Lawrence Katz, quoted by Duke University Medical Center. He believes that if we go the same routine day after day, the activity of the brain is reduced actually be needed for these tasks. But when we engage in activities or changes in our habits, there are causing parts of the brain that have not been used before. This creates a "greater activity in> Brain. "

RevolutionHealth.com activities has provided a list of recommendations neuroscientist best for the health of our brain to rise. Among the recommendations: What you should learn something new, it should be a challenge, should increasingly difficult, and should be worth it.

As a crossword puzzle fit? If you do crossword puzzles, the most difficult and if it can be rewarding, a pastimeadvantageous. But if you want to solve again and again "Easy Crossword Puzzles" from the kiosk and I find it a chore, the benefit is limited.

What should I do if he really loves crossword puzzles, brain stimulation, but want more as you get the crossword puzzle? Try something new! Try different rail puzzle and word games. Try logic puzzles. Try number puzzle. Try everything that is fun, exciting and new.

© 2008 Ann Richmond Fisher

Friday, December 17, 2010

There are left and right brain exercises? Like any part of the brain requires a different training

For most people are right and the left brain to think with, but did you know that you can stimulate the growth of exercises each with the right and left brain? Understand the basics of how each hemisphere is the key to give training.

Some people may question what would the purpose of this exercise, but there are good reasons behind it. Since the right hemisphere is generally responsible for visual processing, "big picture" thinking, intuitiveideas and processes in the brain exercises the right time this is done would be done to help improve these functions. On the contrary, since the left brain hemisphere is generally is that the processes of analysis step by step, verbally oriented, exercises, etc. left hemisphere could contribute to these processes.

So what exactly such an exercise would have meant? For the right half of the brain, it would carry out the tasks that stimulate visual use, intuitive thinking, etc.Exercises the right hemisphere of the brain could be things like painting or drawing, that the right brain functions in visual processing, and image processing or holistic properly with this issue.

exercises the right brain also games that involve strategy or working different tasks simultaneously. These games require that you take a look at things as a whole and sometimes think outside the logical deductions to reach the goal. This would alsoHelp build according to the right hemisphere.

To the left, you would need to work phase of the left brain exercises require the use of the word reasoning, or logical step. "Walnuts or word puzzle would have worked hard to be good examples to use the left hemisphere and improve '.

spelling and math activities are also good years left brain. These processes are made mainly in the left hemisphere, rather thanneural connections are built-in function in this part of the brain increased. In principle, any operation or proof that the reasoning is deductive, working through a problem in a certain order or to work with various facts and figures, this part of the brain, and how it works.

Whatever your preference, the researchers found that the overall brain work better than most except for the side that is dominant for us, but spend timethe less dominant. In other words, the right brain exercises will be beneficial to the people of the left-brain and left brain exercises to help right brainers. The structure of both sides really need the ability to facilitate better interaction between the two halves of the brain that a multi-well rounded.

As with exercise, the brain is the best helped if the exercise is regular and not sporadic. The brain, like the muscle work on use it or losethis principle. The more we are inactive with certain parts of our brain is the most difficult for us to perform those functions. More work is easier for us to use these functions. Is that the brain needs a good dose of brain exercises right or left, the point is to get fit for that brain.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

What Motivates People to Play Games?

When it comes to entertainment you will find board games, arcades, online games, mind and brain puzzles, MMORPGs and more. There are so many different types of games available it can even be a little overwhelming but what motivates people to play in the first place? First, it's important to realize that people pay games for many different reasons. For instance, some people like to play brain teasers because it helps to keep their mind sharp. Others enjoy playing MMORPGs because it helps them to escape reality for awhile and relax.

So what motivates people to play games? It can vary as much as the people who are playing. It's the excitement and personal gratification they experience when they are playing that keeps them coming back. Playing games gives people a way to use their skills in a fun and exciting way. If you like fast cars but don't want to put your life in danger, video games are a great way to experience the feeling of racing without the danger.

In MMORPGs you can escape reality and do things that you can't in real life. You can become characters that are completely different from your true personality. For example, if people are shy in real life they can be more assertive and open in the games. They can be who or whatever they want. This is just one aspect of the appeal. It also allows you to meet and communicate with other people online.

Playing competition games is a way to compete against others and match your skills against some of the best players around. You can improve certain skills and enhance your abilities through the use of games. They motivate the player to try harder and they encourage them to never give up. Games drive people to be the best they can be and help them to improve in the areas they are weak. These are qualities that are needed for a person to be successful in real life.

You're not limited when playing the way you are in real life. You can go online and play alongside other gamers or compete against players from all over the world. It's a great way to make new friends and have a break from all the stress and challenges the real world has to offer. The relationships formed in many of these multiplayer scenarios are real and lasting but they are different from the ones formed in real life.

Playing games allows a person to be creative and express themselves in a controlled environment. Gamers know that these alternate worlds are not real and that they are not a substitute for real life and friends. There are cases in which a person can become too obsessed with gaming. They may become dependent on the game and avoid reality altogether but these are special situations. This is not the way the majority of gamers react and most players still look forward to taking part in real sports, going out to eat and socialize with friends and family.

Whether you play games to relax from a hard day at work, relive stress, escape reality or the sheer thrill of it, they have a lot to offer. This experience is sure to continue growing in popularity as even more people find them to be beneficial in many ways. This is especially true with all the modern technology that is available today that makes them even more fun and exciting. What's your favorite game?

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Playing Together (Toys For Parents to Play With Children, Puppets, Etc)

These days, parents are finding it more and more difficult to find time to spend with their children. More and more families are finding that they need both parents working to make ends meet, and family time has to take second priority.

This puts a lot of imperative on making sure that, what free time you do have to spend with your children, you'd better not waste it.

It's a good idea to stock up on some toys, games and other items that allow you to play with your children. If you can find common interests between yourself and your kids, that can be a big boost to spending more family time together.

To list a few examples...

Puppets

When you picture yourself playing with puppets, you might think "Well that's fine if I've got a two year old..." but really, puppets can be a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Just put one on, hand one to each of your kids, try out a goofy voice and have fun developing goofy stories and characters together.

Games

Monopoly is great, but it bores the heck out of some kids. Be on the lookout for games that are more to your kid's tastes. If your kids love riddles and puzzles, Mindtrap is a classic for brain teasers. RISK might be a little complex for younger kids, but around the age where a child begins reading 'chapter' books, RISK is a great, in-depth game. Then there are more action-intensive games, like mini-table hockey.

Shared Hobbies

No matter what they might tell themselves, dads never stop liking remote control cars. Getting a couple RC cars and racing them across the living room can be a great bonding experience. Getting some child sized instruments like an electric organ for kids, a harmonica, or a drum kit, and then getting together to bang out some music (even if you're just goofing off and making a ruckus), is just as much fun as it sounds, and might develop into a real appreciation for music, as well.

Shared Interests

And then there are things like Star Wars and Batman, which you can't not love, no matter how old you are. You're not, really, getting old, unless you think you're too grown up to hold swordfights in the backyard with toy light sabres.

Finding Time...

The main thing is really just finding time, knowing what your kids are into, and getting involved. It's a sad fact that these days parents are finding themselves with less and less free time to spend with their kids at the end of each day. If you don't have time, make time. Sure, easier said than done, but it's worth doing, no matter how tricky it may seem to arrange your schedule to find a little playtime.

Kids who spend time with their parents, obviously, grow up feeling closer to their parents than kids who spend most of their time alone. Even after kids move out on their own, the lessons they've learned spending time with their parents stay with them for the rest of their lives. Be there for your kids, whatever it takes.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Review - Arctic Adventures - Polar's Puzzles PSP (PlayStation Minis)

Platform owner Sony's foray into digital bite-sized games for PSP and PS3 so far has spawned more that 100 in-the-cheap games since the PlayStation Minis launched last year.

Developer and publisher Eiconic Games has chosen a somewhat novel path for their first Minis title. The company earlier this year launched Polar Puzzle on Microsoft and Sony's digital marked places for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The title is now back as a retooled budget offering for PSP and PS3, stripping away the original's story and multiplayer modes, leaving us with a streamlined and satisfying puzzler aptly renamed 'Arctic Adventures: Polar's Puzzles'.

Humble building blocks

The premise in Polar's Puzzles is quite simple, but put to good use delivering a game play experience that tests your reactions, memory and ability to think geometrically. The feisty artic bear Polar is challenged to defeat brain teasers that is best described as modern versions of the sliding jigsaw, albeit spiced up quite a bit! Basic ground rules require, that a number of pressure pads must be activated, before Polar can make his sweet escape. To achieve this end you'll position boxes, activate bombs in a hopefully timely manner and accurately slide slippery ice bricks around.

Dexterity, timing and concentration is the order of the day - whether you're trapping volatile barrels, build bridges between floating icebergs or setting of domino explosions. Moves must be carefully arranged, in sequences often more than 20 to 30 steps deep. But know this - Polar's Puzzles has no sense of mercy: use an ice block or bomb in error, and it is back to the starting line.

Arctic Adventures feels surprisingly fresh and original compared to the hordes of Tetris-clones, that we're normally treated too in the puzzle genre. You'll experience than elusive but sweet sense of accomplishment when you crack the hardest nuts, and seldom do you begrudge the game anything, when you have to start the more devious stages over again. Rare indeed and the mark of puzzle games that are truly worth your time.

Perseverance will be rewarded

50 levels divided into 10 tiers lies ahead - should you choose to accept the challenge. The learning curve is quite considerate put together; the first five or so levels will ease you gently into the game's universe and possibilities before putting the hammer down, hard! You'll easily pull 8-10 hours of fun out of Arctic Adventures, not counting replays aiming for better time and lesser moves.

It all adds up!

Arctic Adventures impresses with some good looking stages, cute menus combined with fine models and animations. The title doesn't offer much in the audio apartment, with some very basic sound effects and throwaway tunes. Still, above par from what you'll normally get from the Minis platform.

Even pared down compared to the XBLA and PSN versions Arctic Adventures: Polar's Puzzles is a most worthwhile addition to the PSP's library; even more so if you measure asking price against the package contents. High production values, plenty of value for money and solid puzzle action at hand - what are you waiting for?

Verdict: Get it! (Verdict list: 'Get it!', 'Borrow' or 'Never mind')

Monday, December 13, 2010

How to Play Kakuro - Live Cross Word Numeric Puzzles

Kakuro is a wonderful game for those who love solving brain teasers and puzzles. It is a live crossword puzzle. It requires a little more effort and care than playing Sudoku. It can be incredibly thrilling to players and fans. This game consists of a live check board with 16 squares. Live puzzle board of this game is 16 * 16 in size. The width of all puzzle squares may vary. The left most column and top row consist black cells. Rest part contains white cells. The goal of playing the game of Kakuro is to fill all white cells by using numeric digits between 1 and 9. This game involves investing more numeric combinations than Sudoku. Duplicate numeric combinations cannot be used in this game. There are many techniques to solve this game puzzle. Players can use complex or special techniques when simple techniques cease to give a unique puzzle solution. If a player is handling this numeric puzzle for the first time then he could feel it a bit challenging.

Here are few rules and strategies for playing Kakuro crossword puzzle:-

1) Players should remember that there are no zeroes in this puzzle game. So they have to use all digits and numerical combinations for a particular digit or cell by choosing values between 1 and 9.

2) No numerical digit is to be repeated again for a given sum of numbers.

3) The numerical combinations can vary according to the required sum or number of cells in the crossword puzzle. For example to cover a sum of 6 in 3 cells, players can use numeric combinations of 3-2-1, 3-1-2, 2-1-3, 1-2-3 and 1-3-2. For covering the same digit of 6 in two cells they can use numeric combination of 3-3 or 4-2.

4) Players can use the strategy of using common digits at the beginning. For example if a specific row in the puzzle has a sum of 6 over 3 squares and a column has a sum of 5 over 2 squares, then possible numeric combinations to cover those sums will be 1-3-5 for the row and 2-3 for the column.

5) Players can use noting possible solutions of Kakuro by using marks of pencils. This effort might seem to be a little extra but can help one to imagine and note all solutions. Players can use all marks of pencils for filling possible values in a particular box of the puzzle game.

6) If players want to remove pencil marks while playing then they can make combo lists to add a given sum total. After making the lists they can remove combos based on previously filled digits. The strategy of removing pencil marks can be used in combination with triples and pairs for removing combos.

7) While deciding which digit to fill in the puzzle box, players can refer to digits used previously in columns and rows. Such digits can be excluded from using again. Several digits can be seen around those previously filled columns and rows. Players can use these new digits to carry on the game.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

3D Puzzles As Amazing Playthings With Optical Illusions

Three-dimensional or 3d puzzles have the illusion of depth and height as well as width is known as 3D or three-dimensional. Anything that has effects with these illusions is one of the most awesome optical illusions applied to things which are in existence for real. These amazing playthings have allured the interest of young adults and children. The wooden jigsaws feature three-dimensional effects making them more interesting and enjoyable.

Three-dimensional or 3d puzzles give a person the perception of looking at these types of playthings at a more realistic level. The concept of this toy has heightened the imagination of the players. These playthings are excellent brain teasers both for children and adults. Playthings such as these can enhance the imagination of any person holding them. Their interesting appearance can truly puzzle any individual.

Most of these toys are non-glue or non-stick when assemble. They can become whole by simply fitting together the pieces. Other types are the jigsaw pieces to be stuck or glued together to complete one whole object. These types come in various forms and designs with many different kinds of materials being used like foam or wood. There are so many shapes and sizes of these 3d puzzles that can be suitable young adults and children. Some come in classical pieces which have become a pastime for some puzzle lovers. Because of their extraordinary appeal these can make good house decors.

There are magnetic 3d puzzles which have offered much fun and amusement not just for small children but for adults as well. A child playing with toys like these will be able develop his mental faculties in solving such simple problem of putting the pieces together and the enhancement of recognition for shapes and colors. The basic senses of sight and touch are put into a good exercise with these toys.

It is truly interesting and a great pleasure to watch your little child playing it. A child's logical part of the brain is tapped and awakened with these brain teasers. Toys of these kinds are good materials for a child's IQ. Schools and homes can consider these toys as competent tools to develop the motor skills of a child using 3d puzzles.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Increase Your Self Esteem by Playing Scientific Brain Games

Have you been forgetting names recently? Do you look at a person and think "Yes, I have seen him/her somewhere"? Do you forget important dates and appointments? If you do not pay attention to working on the current situation you would soon be worse off. This can be a really embarrassing situation. Forgetting meetings, appointments, the name of your clients or friends can spell disaster. You would soon end up with people giving you no importance and in turn a self esteem problem.

Now what can you do to solve the problem and make things better? Enrolling for a course that would help you improve your memory is a good idea. However, there are chances that you may soon loose interest in the course. You definitely need something that can keep you interested and what you love doing. The scientific brain games offer the perfect solution to a memory problem or a low self esteem.

The scientific brain games are designed taking into consideration various aspects. Your brain like any other part of the body needs to be put into action on a regular basis to be alert and active. Thus, it is important that you pose new challenges and present situations that your brain has to use the different faculties to provide a solution. The scientific brain games have so many twists and turns that the brain would be provided enough exercise and this in turn would help sharpen your memory, concentration, alertness and help you overall. There are different questions that you come across for which you need to find answers. This makes it active and with thinking and alertness required you can be sure that all parts of your brain would be well-oiled and spring into action.

The scientific brain games are real fun and so you would not get bored. For the brain to be happy it is important that you put it into action and also that you are interested in what you do. With the scientific brain games you can be sure that you would be thinking. When winning in the game and moving ahead faster becomes important you would concentrate more and using the different parts of your brain. Gaming is also a very pleasant experience that gets your adrenaline rushing and makes you alerts. With all this you can be sure that the results would also get better making you feel on top of the world. Not only will the scientific brain games provide you happiness and entertainment but also sharpen memory and increase your self esteem. With the new games you can be sure that there will soon emerge a confident NEW you. If you thought gaming had only ill effects, then it is time to think again.

The scientific brain games can have a very positive effect on your personality increasing your self-esteem and memory and thus, it is time to give it a shot. Discover the new you with the gaming experience that promises to get you going on the right path. Take a step towards happiness and confidence and see the difference!!

Friday, December 10, 2010

The 10 books on brain health in 2008 - for the 'spiritual training?

Here you have the 10 most popular Cognitive Brain Fitness and health books of 2008. I hope you find them as stimulating as I do!

1. Brain Rules 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home and school (Pear Press, March 2008)

- Dr. John Medina, director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University, writes a binding and comprehensive introduction to the daily impact of many recent brainSearch.

2. The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain person, think like a thin (Oxmoor House, March 2007)

- Dr. Judith Beck, director of the Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy and Research, links the world of research-based cognitive therapy with a broad question: maintaining weight loss.

third brain that change: stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of Brain Science (Viking, March 2007)

- Dr. Norman Doidge,Psychiatrist and author of the New York Times bestseller list, it brings us ", a collection of compelling stories about the amazing capabilities of the brain to learn a new, thread and ask."

4. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (Little, Brown and Company, January 2008)

- Dr. John Ratey, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, summarizes the benefits of exercise for more research on the brain.

5.The Art of Changing the Brain: enrichment of teaching practice through research on the biology of learning (Stylus Publishing, October 2002)

- Dr. James Zull, Director Emeritus of the University Center for Innovation in teaching and training at Case Western Reserve University, writes a must for educators and students to read throughout their lives.

6. Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a new science reveals our extraordinary potential to transform ourselves books (Ballantine,January 2007)

- Sharon Begley, Newsweek science writer excellent introduction to research on neuro-plasticity based on a Mind and Life Institute meeting.

7. Thanks: how the new science of gratitude can safely (Houghton Mifflin, August 2007)

- Prof. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at UC Davis and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology, is writing a book that combines solid research-based synthesis of the issue andpractical suggestions.

8. The executive brain: frontal lobes and the civilized world Mind (Oxford University Press, January 2001)

- Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg, clinical professor of neurology at New York University School of Medicine, offers a fascinating look at the role of frontal executive functions and roles through life.

9. The Brain Trust Program: a science based on three-part action plan) to improve memory (Perigee Trade, September 2007

-Dr. Larry McCleary, former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children's Hospital in Denver, covering many of the recommendations lifestyle for brain health in this practical book.

10. A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, attention, and the four theaters of the brain (Pantheon, January 2001)

- This book (pre-Spark), Dr. John Ratey presents a stimulating description of how the brain works. An excellent book for all new Brain 101the field.

I ask you ... You already have a book to read next?

Copyright (c) 2009 Sharp Brains

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Keep Your Mind and Memory Intact

It's great to have full use over your faculties, but for just a second, lend your mind to the plight of the elderly who reach the later stages of their lives and don't have that wonderful full control that we (well, most of us) take for granted.

It's not the nicest way to finish up you life, but it's almost accepted as the way it is. I say no more!

There is a way to delay the onset of age related memory loss - By keeping your mind sharp and active.

The End Of The Line

At some stage we will lose some portion of our mental capacity, agility and aptitude. It's going to happen and we stop that, but what I say no more to is accepting that we have to start losing our better minds so early.

If you see people who are 70 years of age and they still seem young it's probably because they have kept their mind and body active. It seems that the more physical you are the longer you keep the ability to walk and all the ensuing dexterity.

It also seems that keeping your mind fresh and active can lead to longer use of your mental function.

Keep It Fresh

Just like a child doesn't worry about superannuation, middle age adults care not for their memory simply because they think they will have it for ever, but the dark truth is you may only be a decade away from the start of the deterioration.

Don't let it set in.

I believe that protecting your memory and building your intelligence is one of the most productive and fun things you can do.

All you need is the thirst for knowledge and you can go about getting some really good brain teasers and stretching that mind laterally and really work that gray matter into a sharpened tool.

The Power Of The Mind

Has anyone ever thought how funny it is that our own mind can make the conscious effort to make itself stronger? That's some seriously deep and philosophical stuff if your really think about it.

The mind is so powerful and can beget so many great things that it kind of stands to reason that we should develop our mind to it's full potential in order to make the most out of our brain.

They say that ignorance is the enemy of education, so imagine if everyone furthered their education? There would be so much less ignorance based hate crimes and prejudice based violence.

That's the world I want to live in - How About You?

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Why Study Math? Linear Systems and the Substitution Method - Part I

After having read my previous articles on lines and their representative equations, we are now going to look at these objects two at a time, in which case we have what is known as a linear system. When we have two lines, and we try to graph them on the same coordinate plane, three things can happen: one, the lines may never intersect, in which case they are parallel; two, the lines may coincide, in which case they are identical; or three, the lines can intersect in one point, the unique solution of the system. Here we are going to look at how to find that unique solution using the method known as substitution.

In my article, "Why Study Math? - Linear Equations and Slope-Intercept Form," we talked about the standard form for the equation of the line, that is Ax + By = C. When we have a linear system, or pair of lines, whose solution we are looking to find, we usually write them in standard form. One of the advantages of standard form is that it allows us to solve the system more easily when we try to eliminate one of the variables. This method, known as elimination or linear combinations, is another method that we will look at in an upcoming article. For now, we are going to focus on the method of substitution, which
works particularly nicely when one of the equations is in slope-intercept form.

The method of substitution, as the name implies, allows us to substitute one of the variables by its value in terms of the other, and then solve for the variable. For example, take the following system: y = 2x + 1 and 3x - 2y = 5. The first equation tells us what y is in terms of the variable x. We use this in the second equation and replace y with 2x + 1. Doing this we obtain,
3x - 2(2x + 1) = 5. Now that we have an equation in x only, we can solve to get x = -7. We then plug this value in the first equation to get y = 2(-7) + 1 or -13. The unique solution of this system then is -7, -13, which is a point and the unique point where, if we were to graph these two lines on the same coordinate plane, the two lines intersect.

Although this method usually gives students trouble, there really is no difficulty with it if you keep your head on straight and your pencil sharpened. For example, take the following system:
3x - 5y = 4, and y = -3x + 10. By using the second equation in the first, we obtain
3x - 5(-3x + 10) = 4. Simplifying, we have 3x + 15x -50 = 4. Rearranging terms, we get
18x = 54 or x = 3. We use this value of x to get y = -3(3) + 10 or y = 1.

There really is no difficulty with this method if you keep your figures neat and precise. Just keep your eraser handy for an error or two and remember that errors are okay because the more mistakes you make, the better you are going to get. Remember: if at first you don't succeed, just do another problem. Happy problem solving.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Varieties and Advantages of Puzzle Games

Now many varieties of puzzle games are available on the internet. All these games are amazing and interesting to play. They make the brain sharp and active through constant practice. Human life is itself like a puzzle and men have to solve every problem like playing and solving the former. When man originated on earth for the first time, everything seemed to him like a brain teaser or riddle. Brain teasers and riddle games are like virtual problems that are to be solved as if they were in real life of a person. Of course these online games produce a great sense of thrill and excitement to players. Here are some common type puzzle recreations which can be played on desktop screen-

1. Classic Puzzles: These are best kind of puzzle games to play and get entertained. They don't make players worry about losing points or getting defeated. They have capability to drop and drag to solve brain teasers at a fast speed. Many of them have now been modified with attractive flash features and technology. They are designed to test gaming time skills of players.

2. Word Based Brain Teasers: These are suitable for those players who like to play with word teasers. Solving word puzzles can be real joy, it can be attempted by anybody, growing kids, young persons and senior people. Such games enhance the word power and vocabulary skills of players.

3. Picture Based Games: These games also fall under group of puzzle games. Some extra skill is required to play them. Those gamers who have an architect type or creative mind can really get on with them well. They generally engage players building picture images and specific blocks in the form of squares, triangles, rectangles. One may have to build a specific image or align different objects in a special array using the mouse.

4. Numeric Puzzles: These are most sought online games by lovers of brain teasers. Such types of games are helpful in developing numerical aptitude of in growing children. Sudoku is one such popular game that enhances mathematical skill of players.

5. Crossword Brain Teasers: Puzzle games with challenge to solve specific crosswords are one of the oldest. Even today they are getting published on daily newspapers and magazines. While playing them online players can select the difficulty level according their playing skills. Online crossword versions are now being introduced with new playing strategies.

Advantages of Puzzle Games:

1. These have great entertainment value and make players forget their failures in real life. After winning each time a player feels himself to be self confident and capable.

2. These games enhance creative and thinking abilities of a person. He can get greater analytical power by playing these online games. Many among them appear like problems seen in real lives. Players can solve them and find solutions to dilemmas appearing on day to day in their personal lives.

3. These games can develop an active and sharp mind in growing children and develop their thinking power.

Monday, December 6, 2010

8 Great Ways to Become Your Own Brain Trainer

Our brain is the nerve center of all body processes, from walking to problem solving. Due to our daily lifestyle and the natural processes that take place within our bodies, our brain is at times worked up and fogged, and so, you find it difficult to make even the simplest decisions. When your brain is clogged up, you feel stressed, worried, full of anxiety and hard to focus on anything. Being in such a state makes it difficult to attain your goals, whether it's in your workplace or within the family.

It is possible to increase memory functionality and thinking power of your brain. Very many people have spent huge sums of money to get help from numerous brain trainer programs on the Internet. Perhaps, what they don't realize is that the best brain remedies lie within them. You don't have to spend any amount of money to get someone or some program to train your brain. You can become your own brain trainer. Here are ten things to do to become your own brain trainer.

Exercise

Doing physical exercise is one of the best ways of improving your brain performance. Your brain requires energy, and much of its energy comes from oxygen through blood. Physical exercise facilitates easy flow of blood in the brain, hence energizing it for more powerful processing.

Deep breath

Since the brain requires oxygen for energy supply, taking deep breath helps the blood to be oxygenated, and hence supplying the brain with sufficient energy. Taking some deep breath has long been used as a means of achieving relaxation.

Eat healthy

Although food is the primary supply of energy in our bodies, some are known to have a negative impact on the brain. Foods that are hard to digest are not good for your brain functionality. Also, avoids foods that you are allergic to.

Develop your intuition

We all have an inner spirit that guides us, but not everyone is able to listen to that inner instinct. Developing the ability to listen to your inner self can really help in your thinking capacity and problem solving skills.

Have sufficient sleep

Taking enough sleep gives you a perfect chance to relax your brain. Due to our busy lifestyles, it is normally difficult to find time for resting, and so, sleep gives you that chance. However, ensure that you have quality sleep rather than quantity.

Read and write

One of the best ways you can build your thinking capacity is by reading. Reading exposes you to extensive experiences in life and trains your brain to have a broader scope of thinking. Writing on the other hand exercises your brain into creating mental pictures through words.

Talk to your self

Your best friend is yourself. Taking time to meditate and reflect deeply on your life enhances your self-consciousness. Talk to yourself and ask for guidance from your inner self. Trust your intuition in making decisions and you will realize how you can never be wrong.

Enjoy Life

The best medicine you can give to a troubled mind is a smile. Enjoy life and laugh at yourself. Every time you smile or laugh, there are some energy charges that are transmitted to the brain, and believe me; they stimulate the brain.

So, the sooner you realize you are the best brain trainer to yourself, the better. Take charge of your life and add some power to your brain.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Make Halloween More Fun - Quality Educational Activities For Kids

You might make Halloween more fun by sticking a pumpkin sticker on a worksheet or using a ghost shaped bookmark to keep track of independent reading and plopping some decorations around the classroom. However, to create a truly fun well-rounded experience for your students, you need to find quality educational activities for kids to use during the week leading up to this holiday. Incorporating some effective word puzzles, challenging math worksheets, innovative writing prompts and problem solving activities with a Halloween theme will help create educational Halloween activities student enjoy.

You do not have to stop your normal math routine just because of Halloween week. Using worksheets to review and reinforce skills or for homework is a part of a normal routine. Substituting worksheets with a Halloween theme is then a simple adjustment that will not interfere with education. Often Halloween itself it is hard to keep students focused, so pulling out a printable Halloween game or activity that fits in with your current curriculum needs might help them get through the day, without losing too many teachable moments.

Word Puzzles are always a fun activity to use around any holiday and Halloween is rich with good word choices. Whether using word searches, anagrams, categorizing, or thesaurus work, students are enhancing their vocabulary, practicing proper usage, and giving more exposures to the correct spelling! These sorts of activities are perfect for homework leading up to Halloween as families are often busy with higher than normal out of school events. These assignments are fun, simple but allow you to assign quality educational activities at the same time.

Although Halloween is rich with creative writing topics, it is always a challenge to come up with writing assignments that use these ghastly creatures but avoid violence. Taking the time to really look for a good resource for interesting writing prompts that also are printable downloads so you can find it easier next year, is well worth your time. This sort of assignment creates the perfect teachable moment for an age appropriate discussion with the students about the impact of violence and how you can be scary without being violent. Meanwhile you are making Halloween more fun for your students with creative writing opportunities.

Using challenging Halloween themed problem solving games and activities like brain teasers, riddles, or logic puzzles is perfect for filling in that little extra time waiting for the bell to ring, as a warm-up challenge when they arrive in the morning or for a homework assignment. Playing some strategy games as a full class or in small groups with some printable games you found online, fools them into thinking they are getting away with doing no work, but are really practicing using an important skill. Having games and activities that encompass different skill levels allows for some creative groupings!

Many teachers do not look forward to Halloween week because of how hard it is to keep the students focused and the challenge of keeping the blood and gore writing under control. With quality educational activities for kids to use at Halloween, teachers can make Halloween more fun for everyone.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Win Prizes by Playing Games!

There are lots of free games that are available through the Internet. Children nowadays get glued to the computers, thanks to some of the nice free online gaming websites that are available in the Internet. There are many websites that have come up to serve the need of gamers. These websites cater to all kinds of gamers. There are lots of flavors they provide and it is up to the people to choose one. There is a myth stating that most of the teens love adventurous games and this is the sole reason why there are available in plenty than any other types in the market. Small kids love puzzles a lot and the arrival of su-do-ku has made taken kid gamers to a new level! The colorful environment that these games have makes the person stick to the game. We can also divide them into categories based on the age group of people who play them!

For amateurs there are many options. These games are easy to play and the whole environment is colorful. There are options for the middle level gamers as well. These people are those who play action and adventure games. Such games have good animation and they have many levels in it. These free online websites are such a boon to these people. These people like to play lots of levels and these websites cater to their needs. The people, who fall under the third category, love to be immersed in the gaming world for hours.They usually prefer to play more challenging games!

There are games which help to increase the IQ level of a gamer. Education is fast evolving across continents. Thanks to the invaluable hand lent by the Internet by providing an easier and user friendly environment to work on. Information is available in bulk and it is available to masses. It has become a practice in many schools to educate through fun. Games are created to help these school kids learn tough subjects and concepts. So these are effective alternatives that help these school kids to learn math, science and other difficult subjects. Brain teasers are no longer a difficult proposition for children. All it needs to get these games are a keyboard, a mouse and a good Internet connection. Once you own these, the plethora of choices awaits you!

Websites are available in plenty. It is hard to choose for an individual. Many websites promise to offer good ones but only a few keep up their promise. One has to look at the number of genres they provide and the quality as well.

Playhub.com for instance is one of the good game providers in the business. They have games, in all genres and they are really cool. You can even play and make money. Be sure to check out the vast collection of games they have!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Start the Year Right - Work Your Brain

Now that the new year upon us it's time to start, all the creative decisions in action. Do you want this year, another boring repetition of the last year or make changes really make the impact your life in a positive way? Although last year was good, it's time to do even better. We begin to work with the solution to our brain, so that all other things.

Scientists have shown that regular mental exercise ispositive effects on neuro-cognitive functions of our brain. A stronger and more healthy brain is not only sophisticated and a greater ability to solve more problems, but also a happy and successful you. For this reason, it is your responsibility to get your ass up at your local library and look into buying some puzzles, problem solving, and puzzle books. If this selection does not sound appetizing all, then go to the puzzles and brainTeaser. You're safe, attractive head and a large selection of interesting challenge to find your books. Pick up and start spending money ten minutes a day working with that brain of yours.

The results for the new year will be wonderful. Not only will you find that your thoughts faster but also make you feel better about yourself and that you are much more capable of working. It is no accident. A healthy brain means a healthy body. The two go hand in hand. In addition, participation in intellectual exercise, you will collect an additional benefit: the more active the brain is like mental training, less time is available on negative activities such as housing problems and other bad things. And as you may already know, such activity only devastating to himself and leads to depression.

So you are not yet sold? Do yourself a favor. Try this out for a month and see what happens. Get up in the bookstore and buy one of these> Brain stimulating books. Invest time in your brain and the rest will follow. After all, the only thing you have to lose ... ... is your opinion.

Read more about Cool Math Ebooks and try some brain work here

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Teachers, Teach - Don't Preach!

The crisp dry September air is hurtling around August' corner, and you can feel, taste, and smell the first days of school, looming tantalizingly behind that inspiration you received during the quickly fading summer. Yet inspired though you may feel, you still cannot overcome the frustrations of last year, when student apathy and lack of interest in your goods made teaching day to day seem like an eternity. What can you do, you ponder, to make this year different? How can you motivate your students, both the slackers and the hackers? Maybe some simple advice holds the answer.

To repeat the oft muttered aphorism that teaching is a difficult task is like playing a played-out song. You have already heard all the cliches, replete with worldly wisdom of how teaching is sometimes a thankless job, but if you can save just one student then the career is all worth it; that teaching touches lives; that teaching may not pay but the intangible rewards make it all worth the
pain. What hogwash! Who invented these platitudes?

All sarcasm aside, teaching is a great profession, one to be extolled not vilified. I feel justified in making such an assessment as I once belonged to this noble profession, but now choose to write about it and to teach through other venues. If I were to give one piece of advice to those valiant souls out there about to embark on their first year of teaching, or to even those who are reaching back to try their wares one more time in this challenging vocation, then I would have to say simply, teach don't preach.

Yes, that is all. Teachers, teach. Don't preach. Don't preach about your life, about the current world situation, about politics, about preferences, about your favorite color, no. Don't do it, I say. Rather, teach your subject with a discipline and a passion unrivaled in America. Don't be distracted by how the others are doing it-your colleagues, that is. Oh, and don't worry about the administration and what they think, because the truth is if you don't already have tenure, then they will get rid of you on a whim, and you therefore should do what you believe in anyway; on the other hand, if you already have tenure, then this all becomes a moot point.

Just teach without regard to consequence. If you teach with passion and with the objective of enlightening and bettering your students as people, as human beings, as citizens---then the rest does not matter. How much you know of your subject becomes secondary when you show a true concern for the enrichment of your students' minds. Try this philosophy out and then see how all of a sudden you are considered a master teacher. Just don't blame me when all your colleagues are jealous because they cannot figure how you have the highest ratings in the school.

See more of my articles here at Articles Page and see my challenging brainteasers here at Problem of the Week and Cool Brain Teasers.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Puzzle Games for Developing Analytical Power of Brain

Puzzle games are fun for those who love to face and deal with virtual brain teasers. These games have become popular among growing kids, youngsters and even among old folks. Paying with brain teasing games develops our intelligence and imagination power. Most games like these involve solving riddles and completing constructions in a right way. Playing such games produces thrill and develops the analytical power of players. Puzzle games have been reputed to make the brain of players very active. Many versions and varieties of these video games are available. These can be played easily after understanding their guidelines. Here are some popular forms of popular brain teasers.

1) Sudoku: It is the most popular game involving finding solutions to puzzles. It was popular in Japan, the name of this game means number puzzle board in English. This game used to be published in European newspapers in 19th century. Readers took great delight in solving its puzzles. Players have to enter certain numerical digits from 1 to 9. These numerical values should not be repeated again and again in the given columns and rows. Seeing the liking of players for Sudoku all over the world it was introduced as a video game in the market. 4*4 and 2*2 Sudoku are the easiest forms for playing. They can be played by growing children to attain imaginative and analytical power.

2) Chinese Checkers: These types of puzzle games are involved moving pieces towards the other side of the play board. Players can move constructive pieces in any direction; they can even jump there playing pieces over those belonging to the competitor. Chinese checkers are based on an old puzzle named Halma. It was invented by an American professor Dr. George Howard Monks.

3) Four Colors: This is a brain teaser game in which a player has to color more area than his/her online rival. But a player is not allowed to color the area of his neighbor on the screen, if it already has the same color.

4) Classic Puzzles: These games are the most appealing puzzles. In these games players don't have fear of losing points or losing and online tournament. These puzzle games aim at solving given brain teasers at a fast speed. They are now being designed with attractive and colorful graphics. Many classic puzzles are simple word brain games, they are favorite of those persons who love to deal with word puzzles.