Vision And Mission Of Infosys In Consulting And It Services Business Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 2927 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? Infosys is a reputed global consulting and IT services company established in 1981. This NASDAQ listed company was established in Pune, India by N.R. Narayana Murthy and six engineers with US $ 250 as initial capital. Today with its strong business strategy and IT strength, it has grown to become a US $ 4.8 billion company with a market capitalization of approximately US $ 33 billion. VISION AND MISSION INFOSYS VISION To be a globally respected corporation that provides best-of-breed business solutions, leveraging technology, delivered by best-in-class people. Infosys does not just want to be a corporation which just focuses on increasing its business and revenue, rather its vision is to be a corporation which provides best business solution by indulging best talented people and eventually to become a reputed and respected corporation. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Vision And Mission Of Infosys In Consulting And It Services Business Essay" essay for you Create order INFOSYS MISSION To achieve our objectives in an environment of fairness, honesty, and courtesy towards our clients, employees, vendors and society at large. Infosys focuses on maintaining fairness, honesty and courtesy towards their clients, employees, vendors and society in their path of achieving their objective. They believe that these three key aspects were the main factors in achieving their vision. GLOBAL FOOTPRINT AND OFFERED SERVICES Infosys has made his footprint globally with offices and development centers across the world. It has expanded its business globally by operating in 28 countries which covers Europe, America, Middle East, Africa, and APAC (Asia Pacific and China). Infosys offers various services to sustain in the competitive environment and to enhance their growth. Services offered: Business and Technology consulting Application services Systems integration services Product engineering services Custom software development services Maintenance services Re-engineering services Independent testing and validation services IT infrastructure services Business Process Outsourcing services Infosys follows a blended offering of onsite high quality business consulting and offsite impeccable technology implementation. This eventually reduces the cost of taking the entire team of business consultants to a client site. In the application services, they offer application development, maintenance and modernization. They focus on delivering high quality, flexible applications that are easy to maintain. To deliver a world class process outsourcing, Infosys BPO services combine technology, process skills and domain expertise. In terms of industry segment, Infosys offers services to many industries which includes; Aerospace and defence Airl ines Automotive Banking, insurance and capital markets Communication Manufacturing and technology Logistics Education Healthcare COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT OF INFOSYS Infosys being a leading company in India faces a lot of competition in local, national and international market. With its in-depth industry expertise, Information Technology and innovative strength, Infosys competes over its competitors, sustains its business and enhances its growth. LOCAL AND NATIONAL COMPETITORS HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES Hexaware technologies is an IT and BPO service provider company based in Mumbai, India. In the local and national level, it makes a healthier competition with Infosys mainly in the banking and health care software services sector. ATARI INFORMATICS Atari Informatics, an IT company based in New Delhi, India, is another competitor of Infosys in local and national level. It provides a healthier competition in BPO sector, mainly in local and national banking sector. FINIX INFOSOLUTION Finix infosolution, based in Chennai, India is a challenging company offering a healthy competition in testing and networking services domain in local and national level. Though these companies managed to compete with Infosys in the local and national market, these companies could not cope up with the standard offered by Infosys and these companies could grab only a small portion of business comparatively. In a poll conducted in 2010 by Finance-Asia, a leading financial magazine, Infosys was selected as the best managed company in India by investors and analysts across Asia. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS In the international market, a healthy rivalry in terms of competition is offered by TCS (Tata Consultancy Services), CTS (Cognizant Technology Solutions), Wipro, Accenture, Microsoft, IBM, HP, LT Technologies. Infosys has a heavy competitive environment in all the services offered by them in the international market. With the impact of globalization, every organization is concerned about taking their organization into the global business field. The above mentioned competitors are globally very well established in terms of reputation and financial strength. Infosys offers a high competition to their rivals in the BPO sector and it won the Forbes magazines Most Dynamically Developing BPO Center in Poland award for the year 2010. Infosys was ranked among the best in investor relations in APAC (Asia Pacific and China). In the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals Global Outsourcing 100, Infosys was ranked second. Infosys planned and organized their services i nto different sectors, which helped them to increase focus and time managing ability. Infosys with their effective use of IT and strategic planning, made a global footprint with its presence in 28 countries across the world and offers a very healthy competition to its rivals and achieves business, awards and reputation in local, national and international market. STRATEGIC ANALYSIS Strategic analysis can be defined as the process of conducting study on the business environment of an organisation. The strategic analysis process uses a number of tools, out of which SWOT and PESTEL analysis are used here. SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Ron Basu. (2004) states, A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) is a tool for analysing an organizations competitive position in relation to its competitors STRENGTHS Infosys considers diversity as an important asset and is one of the main strength. They attract and retain global talent by offering best diversity opportunities. Infosys has more than 100,000 employees from 70 nationalities working together in an inclusive environment. Infosys has marked its footprint in 28 countries and this enhances its capability to support the global operations of multinational clients. Efficient and highly innovative Research and Development facility is the main strength of Infosys. Infosys has a strong financial position. The present revenue is US $ 4.8 billion which shows an increase of 7.3% compared to the previous year. Impressive list of global 2000 clientele is an added strength. WEAKNESSES Infosys major revenue is from banking and financial sector and this sector is facing a crisis globally and even reduced their spending in IT. Excessive dependence on US for revenue is a major weakness as most of the companies in US are cutting their IT budget. Comparing to its international competitors like HP, EDS, IBM and Accenture its revenue is relatively low. In the sector of high-end management consultancy, Infosys is weaker while comparing with Accenture and IBM which dominates this sector. Since many of its competitors are US based, it struggles to achieve US Federal government contracts. Infosys could not grab these highly profitable contracts since there were political pressures on US government to offer these contracts to US based companies OPPORTUNITIES Since there is a huge industrial revolution in China, there is a new and emerging market. Access to new business market in oil and gas industry through their strategic alliance with Schlumberger Limited. Many firms across the globe are adopting outsourcing at an increased pace. This increases the opportunities of getting more new clients, which are yet to adopt outsourcing. Demand for IT services in Indian market is expected an increased growth of 20% and there is greater scope in product innovation and services domains like transportation and infrastructure. THREATS Many global players have realised that the availability of low-cost and highly skilled labours in India. This makes Infosys compete with other global players for skilled labour. This eventually raises the wage levels and creates difficulty in retaining talented staff. Policies made by US government against outsourcing to companies based other than in US. Fierce competition from competitors with greater reputation and financial strength. There is a large pool of low-cost and skilled labours in countries like Korea and China. New competitors may come from these countries and customers may switch to these competitors. PESTEL ANALYSIS The PESTEL analysis helps to scan the external macro environment in which the company operates. PESTEL stands for Political, Economical, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal. All these factors play a vital role in the value creation opportunities of a companys strategy. POLITICAL The globalisation policies in many countries paved the way for many companies to invest in foreign markets. Even though globalisation policies helped Infosys to invest in many countries, it eventually increased the number of competitors in that field. The enacted legislation by some U.S. states which restricted government agencies from outsourcing their Information Technology solutions and back office processes to the companies outside U.S. is also a threat. This may some time extended such that the private U.S. companies, some of which are Infosys clients may also be restricted to outsource their works related to government. If this policy was made, then Infosys may face adverse impact. The decision made by Government owned companies and public sector units in India to give more IT projects to Indian IT companies is a great advantage to Infosys. The politics in many countries are very instable which eventually affects the markets of Infosys. It is very essential that for a firm to be successful, it has to adapt to the changing policies made by the local government and should find way to overcome those issues. ECONOMICAL Infosys majority revenue comes from the clients in U.S. The economic activities in U.S. decreased due to the current economic downturn. This made a great impact in the major economies of the world where Infosys have their business. The economic downturn progress may force the companies to reduce their information technology outsourcing budgets. In recent days real estate prices has reduced in India. This eventually reduced the rental expenditures. Since Infosys business depends upon overall demand for IT and the economic health of their clients, the week economic condition, reduced outsourcing budgets and currency fluctuation will affect their demand and eventually result in reduced revenue. SOCIAL IT and offshore outsourcing services companies are highly competitive and they are served by many global, national and local companies. Many of the global competitors of Infosys have greater financial, marketing and technical resources and greater name recognition than Infosys. In India there are many technical institutions and universities that offer IT education and this increased the availability of more technically sound candidates in IT field. The working age population is also high in India. There is a threat from client side that they may choose those companies with greater resource and reputation. Salaries and related benefits constitute a major portion of total cost. Most of Infosys employees are based in India and wage costs in India have historically been significantly lower than wage costs in United States and Europe for comparably skilled professionals, and this has been one of Infosys competitive advantages. TECHNOLOGICAL The rapid technological change, new product introduction, evolving industry standards and changing client preferences characterises the IT and offshore outsourcing services industries. In these modern technology era, for every second there is some development in every field and that too in IT field, the technological development is very rapid. To withstand in this rapid growing field, updation and adaptability to change of technology is very important. The second largest telephone network after China is the Indian telephone network. This increased the number of outsourcing projects in this field and Infosys bags numerous BPO and research related projects in this field. Infosys clearly focuses on technological factors and it has a very good infrastructure and its research arm is highly focused in innovation and updation of the technologies used in their business. ENVIRONMENTAL Infosys is more concerned about the environment. Infosys believes that the environment can be a participant and a beneficiary of progress. Infosys wishes to be recognized as a company committed to high standards of environmental management by all stakeholders, including customers, employees, vendors, share owners and community at large. Infosys pays keen attention in providing a safe and healthy environment to its contractors, consultants and employees. Infosys considers every means of reducing the carbon footprint, water consumption and energy utilization. Infosys pay more attention towards the environmental factors as they believe that these factors contribute to their social respect and eventually to their business and reputation. LEGAL For providing a sound legal environment for the IT companies, the IT act, 2000 in India is being strengthened by the India government. This particularly focuses on issues like security of data in storage and transmission. IT companies in India are offered with tax and fiscal benefits and can set up Special Economic Zones with a minimum area of 10 hectares. Globally there is a huge debate regarding the bonds under which employees are required to work. This is followed in many countries and this is not legally required. This causes difficulties in attracting global talents. INFOSYS STRATEGY AND THE IMPACT Johnson, G. Scholes, K. (1999) states, Strategy is the direction and scope of an organisation over the long-term: which achieves advantage for the organisation through its configuration of resources within a challenging environment, to meet the needs of markets and to fulfil stakeholder expectations.` Infosys strongly believes that their client-focused strategy is the key factor that helps them to achieve growth. Infosys believes that choosing their client is also a factor that determines their reputation. Their strategy focuses on limited number of large reputed organization that pays attention towards quality in products rather than focusing on numerous small organizations without quality concern. Beyond a certain limit, Infosys does not negotiate over margins and at times rather than compromising on quality for low cost contracts, it prefers to walk out from that business. Their strategy focuses on building an image for quality driven model rather than cost differentiating m odel. INCREASE BUSINESS FROM EXISTING AND NEW CLIENTS Infosys pays more attention in increasing its recurring business by providing software re-engineering, maintenance, business process management and infrastructure management services which require frequent contact with clients and are long term in nature. By leveraging its in-depth industry expertise, it provides value added solutions to its new clients and sustains their business with their new clients. EXPAND GEOGRAPHICALLY Expanding its geographical reach is one of the Infosys strategic objectives. To achieve this they establish new offices in many countries. Through Infosys China, Infosys Australia and Infosys Mexico, it increases its presence in China, Australia and Latin America respectively. Through its Infosys BPO, it increases its presence in Czech Republic and Eastern Europe. ENHANCE SOLUTION SET AND BRAND VISIBILITY Infosys focuses on emerging technologies and innovation. They added new service offerings like system integration and infrastructure management in recent years which enhanced their growth. By investing and participating in media, industry analyst events, trade shows and community outreach programs, Infosys enhances its brand visibility. ALLIANCE AND STRATEGIC ACQUISITION Infosys makes alliance with many leading technology providers to strengthen its service and business solutions. They pay attention on acquiring companies that are in line with strategic goals. GLOBAL DELIVERY MODEL Infosys focuses on achieving cost advantage by their global delivery model. They follow the principle of producing where it is most cost effective and selling where it is most profitable. MOVING UP THE VALUE CHAIN Moving up the value chain is one of the objectives of Infosys strategy. They believe that getting involved at the earliest stage in a software development project would make them to be in the leading position in the competitive environment. Ansoff, I. Mc Donnell, E. (1990) states, Strategic management is a systematic approach for managing strategic change, which consists of the following: 1. Positioning of the firm through strategy and capability planning 2. Real-time strategic response through issue management 3. Systematic management of resistance during strategic implementation Infosys has a very good strategic planning and management capability, which enhances their growth. The major and brilliant advantageous development of Infosys strategic planning is the development of SET Labs. The research arm of Infosys is the Software Engineering Technology Labs (SET Labs). Infosys defines its RD concept as a different concept from its competitors and terms it as Applie d RD. They perform research on their own after a lot of environment scanning and look at what would add value for Infosys and eventually to its clients. To overcome the problem of economic slowdown, Infosys developed new business models using IT. They focused on developing industry specific and domain specific solutions. They introduced the Platform BPO concept which allows their customer to follow the pay-as-you-go pricing mode. Infosys managed to withstand their business during economic slowdown by introducing Platform BPO. They pay more attention in their IT and IT strategy which eventually enhances their new technology adaptation and innovation. The below table shows the geographical revenue break-up for the year end, March 31, 2010 (All denominations in Indian Rupees) PARTICULARS NORTH AMERICA EUROPE INDIA REST OF THE WORLD TOTAL REVENUES YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 14972 Crores 5237 Crores 270 Crores 2263 Crores 22742 Crores T he revenue for the year end March 31, 2009 is 21693 crores Indian rupees. Thus with their effective strategy, Infosys achieved an increase in revenue by 1049 crores Indian rupees. CONCLUSION From the above study, one can infer that Infosys has grown as a leading company with its IT and strategic planning. Strategic planning plays a major role in analysing and gaining knowledge about the issues that the company has to tackle in the near or far future. Infosys with their strategic planning and management strived hard and even managed to be in the competitive environment even in the period of global economic down turn. They still have to focus on the internal and external factors which contribute to the weakness and threats so as to overcome all near and far future issues. It is clear form the analysis that Infosys has proved to be reputed company with good growth.

Pop Culture Has Influenced The American Way - 1043 Words

Pop culture has always influenced the American way. In fact, there is a saying that politics is downstream from culture. What this means is that laws, policies, and guidelines that the government enforces are all influenced by what is being said and done in pop culture. It may be hard to see this example today, but there were certain parts in time where this idea could be easily seen. One of these eras was the 1960s. The 1960s was filled with turbulence. This is because of all of the significant events happening during this time period: the arms race, the space race, the burst of new innovations, and the Cold War. During all of these events, a revolution was beginning in the states. Many people saw what was wrong with the United States, and strived to change it. This is how all sorts of movements began to take place during this time period, like the civil rights movement. All of these movements were to promote social justice. Some pop culture icons of the time voiced their thoughts a bout this social justice. Three of these icons were influential musicians. These musicians are Janis Joplin, Marvin Gaye, and Bob Dylan. The first of these influential musicians is Janis Joplin. To understand her beliefs and how she became such an inspiration, it is important to look at her upbringing. Janis Joplin was born in Texas in 1943. She was raised in a middle-class family during a period of time when racial segregation was prominent. Seeing segregation as an evil that must be gottenShow MoreRelatedThe Mafia s Influence On Hip Hop1603 Words   |  7 PagesThe Mafia’s influence on Hip-Hop In Rap, there is a unique culture, history, social impact and influence on society. Hip-Hop/Rap is one of the most popular genre of music. It has helped shape the pop culture into what it is today. What is popular culture? The ideas, activities or products, which are popular among the general mass. 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Matemetics in India Past Present and Future free essay sample

Particularly, Madhava of Sangamagrama, around the end of Fourteenth century, seems to have blazed a pathway in the research of a particular division of mathematics that goes by the name of research these days. He enunciated the unlimited series for pi/4 (the so-called Gregory-Leibniz series) and other trigonometric features. The series for pi/4 being an extremely gradually converging series, Madhava had also given several fast convergent estimates to it. Interesting evidence of these outcomes are offered in the popular Malayalam written text Ganita-Yuktibhasa (c. 530) of Jyesthadeva as well as in the performs of Sankara Variyar, who was a modern of Jyesthadeva. Though Madhavas performs containing these series are not extant these days, by way of the numerous information that are to be found in the later performs, we come to know that it was Madhava who was accountable for the efflorescence of the universe of amazing astronomers and specialised mathematicians that the Kerala Instituti on was to produce over the next three more than 100 years. The performs of the later astronomers and specialised mathematicians of the Madhava school contain several exciting outcomes which contain the combination of inverse trigonometric features as well as the rate of two trigonometric features. There is a notion that mathematics in Indian has just been a handmaiden to astronomy which will has been a handmaiden used in restoring the appropriate periods of spiritual rituals. Though it had its moderate starting that way, if the objective of mathematics is not enhanced to contain actual perceptive enjoyment, it may be challenging to describe as to why Nilakantha cogitated on the irrationality of pi a wonderful conversation of which is to be found in his Aryabhatiya-bhasya and Madhava progressed stylish techniques to acquire the value of pi appropriate to almost 14 decimal locations. It is quite exciting to observe that almost all these conclusions are succinctly known as by means of metrical agreements in Sanskrit. To the existing day audience, having got so much acquainted to the use of symptoms, it may be rather challenging to think about a recursion regards, or an unlimited series, or the combination of a operate being indicated by means of terse in comparison to. But amazingly, that is how it has been offered to us at least from enough duration of Aryabhata (5th dollar. ) until overdue 1800s. It is truly amazing that all the different offices of mathematics in Indian, such as the innovative infinitesimal calculus, have been developed cleverly without `formal observe in a absolutely natural way! Indian mathematics showed up in the Native indian subcontinent[1] from 1200 BC [2] until the end of the 1700s. In the traditional interval of Native indian mathematics (400 AD to 1200 AD), essential efforts were developed by college learners like Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and Bhaskara II. The decimal variety program in use today[3] was first registered in Native indian mathematics. 4] Native indian specialised mathematicians developed starting efforts to the research of the idea of zero as a variety,[5] adverse results,[6] arithmetic, and geometry. [7] Moreover, trigonometry[8] was further innovative in Indian, and, in particular, the modern descriptions of sine and cosine were developed there. [9] These statistical principles were passed on to the Center Eastern, China suppliers, an d Europe[7] and led to further improvements that now type the fundamentals of many places of mathematics. Ancient and ancient Native indian statistical performs, all composed in Sanskrit, usually contains a area of sutras in which a set of guidelines or issues were described with excellent economic climate in variety to be able to aid storage by a pupil. This was followed by a second area made up of a composing reviews (sometimes several commentaries by different scholars) that described the problem in more information and offered justified reason for the remedy. In the composing area, the type (and therefore its memorization) was not regarded so essential as the principles engaged. [1][10] All statistical performs were by mouth passed on until roughly 500 BCE; thereafter, they were passed on both by mouth and in manuscript type. The most ancient extant statistical papers developed on the Native indian subcontinent is the birch debris Bakhshali Manuscript, found in 1881 in the town of Bakhshali, near Peshawar (modern day Pakistan) and is likely from the 7th century CE. The program is precise up to five decimal locations, the true value being [30] This program is identical in framework to the program found on a Mesopotamian tablet[31] from the Old Babylonian interval (1900–1600 BCE): which conveys in the sexagesimal program, and which too is precise up to 5 decimal locations (after rounding). According to math wizzard S. G. Dani, the Babylonian cuneiform product Plimpton 322 published ca. 1850 BCE[32] contains twelve to fifteen Pythagorean triples with quite huge records, such as (13500, 12709, 18541) which is a basic multiple,[33] showing, in particular, that there was innovative knowing on the topic in Mesopotamia in 1850 BCE. Since these pills predate the Sulbasutras interval by several more than 100 years, considering the contextual overall look of some of the triples, it is affordable to anticipate that identical knowing would have been there in Indian. [34] Dani goes on to say: As primary of the Sulvasutras was to describe the designs o f altars and the geometric principles engaged in them, the topic of Pythagorean triples, even if it had been well recognized may still not have presented in the Sulvasutras. The event of the triples in the Sulvasutras is much like mathematics that one may experience in an starting publication on structure or another identical used place, and would not match straight to the overall information on the topic then. Since, unfortunately, no other contemporaneous resources have been found it may never be possible to negotiate this problem satisfactorily. [34] In all, three Sulba Sutras were composed. The staying two, the Manava Sulba Sutra composed by Manava (fl. 750–650 BC) and the Apastamba Sulba Sutra, composed by Apastamba (c. 600 BC), included outcomes just like the Baudhayana Sulba Sutra. Vyakarana An essential milestone of the Vedic interval was the execute of Sanskrit grammarian, Pa? ini (c. 520–460 BCE). His sentence framework contains starting use of Boolean reasoning, of the zero owner, and of perspective free grammars, and has a forerunner of the Backus–Naur type (used in the information development languages). [edit]Jain Mathematics (400 BCE – 200 CE) Although Jainism as a belief and viewpoint predates its most popular exponent, Mahavira (6th century BCE), who was a modern of Gautama Buddha, most Jaina written sms messages on statistical subjects were composed after the 6th century BCE. Jaina specialised mathematicians are essential traditionally as essential hyperlinks between the mathematics of the Vedic interval and that of the Classical interval. A considerable traditional participation of Jaina specialised mathematicians lay in their liberating Native indian mathematics from its spiritual and ritualistic restrictions. In particular, their interest with the enumeration of very vast quantities and infinities, led them to categorize results into three classes: enumerable, numerous and unlimited. Not material with a easy idea of infinity, they went on to determine five different kinds of infinity: the unlimited in one path, the unlimited in two guidelines, the unlimited in place, the unlimited everywhere, and the unlimited constantly. Moreover, Jaina specialised mathematicians developed notes for easy abilities (and exponents) of results like pieces and pieces, which permitted them to determine easy algebraic equations (beejganita samikaran). Jaina specialised mathematicians were obviously also the first to use the phrase shunya (literally gap in Sanskrit) to consult zero. More than a century later, their appellation became the English term zero after a tortuous trip of translations and transliterations from Indian to European nations . (See Zero: Etymology. In inclusion to Surya Prajnapti, essential Jaina performs on mathematics engaged the Vaishali Ganit (c. 3rd century BCE); the Sthananga Sutra (fl. 300 BCE – 200 CE); the Anoyogdwar Sutra (fl. 200 BCE – 100 C E); and the Satkhandagama (c. 2nd century CE). Important Jaina specialised mathematicians engaged Bhadrabahu (d. 298 BCE), the writer of two considerable performs, the Bhadrabahavi-Samhita and a reviews on the Surya Prajinapti; Yativrisham Acharya (c. 176 BCE), who published a statistical written text known as Tiloyapannati; and Umasvati (c. 150 BCE), who, although better known for his powerful documents on Jaina viewpoint and metaphysics, composed a statistical execute known as Tattwarthadhigama-Sutra Bhashya. Pingala Among other college learners of this interval who included to mathematics, the most considerable is Pingala (pi? gala) (fl. 300–200 BCE), a musical technology theorist who published the Chhandas Shastra (chanda? -sastra, also Chhandas Sutra chhanda? -sutra), a Sanskrit treatise on prosody. There is evidence that in his execute on the enumeration of syllabic blends, Pingala came upon both the Pascal triangular and Binomial coefficients, although he did not have information of the Binomial theorem itself. [35][36] Pingalas execute also contains the primary principles of Fibonacci results (called maatraameru). Although the Chandah sutra hasnt live through in its whole, a Tenth century reviews on it by Halayudha has. Halayudha, who represents the Pascal triangular as Meru-prastara (literally the stairway to Install Meru), has this to say: Draw a rectangular form. Beginning at 50 percent the rectangular form, sketch two other identical pieces below it; below these two, three other pieces, and so on. The labels should be began by placing 1 in the first rectangular form. Put 1 in each of the two pieces of the second variety. In the third variety put 1 in the two pieces at the stops and, in the center rectangular form, the sum of the numbers in the two pieces relaxing above it. In it all variety put 1 in the two pieces at the stops. In the center ones put the sum of the numbers in the two pieces above each. Continue in this way. Of these collections, the second gives the blends with one syllable, the third the blends with two syllables, [35] The written text also indicates that Pingala was conscious of the combinatorial identity:[36] Katyayana Though not a Jaina math wizzard, Katyayana (c. 3rd century BCE) is considerable for being the last of the Vedic specialised mathematicians. He wrote the Katyayana Sulba Sutra, which offered much geometry, such as the typical Pythagorean theorem and a measurements of the rectangular form primary of 2 appropriate to five decimal locations. Oral tradition Mathematicians of traditional and starting ancient Indian were almost all Sanskrit pandits (pa ta learned man),[37] who were qualified in Sanskrit terminology and fictional works, and owned and operated a typical inventory of information in sentence framework (vyakara? a), exegesis (mima? sa) and reasoning (nyaya). [37] Memorization of what is heard (sruti in Sanskrit) through recitation conducted a big part in the sign of holy written sms messages in traditional Indian. Memorization and recitation was also used to deliver philosophical and fictional performs, as well as treatises on practice and sentence framework. Modern college learners of traditional Indian have mentioned the truly amazing success of the Native indian pandits who have maintained substantially heavy written sms messages by mouth for many years. Styles of memorization

Sims 1 Essays - Harry S. Truman, Haberdashers, Truman Committee

Sims 1 Ben Sims US History Mrs. Murphy 11 February 1999 Harry S. Truman Short and rather bird-like behind thick glasses, Harry S. Truman was not intimidating in looks. He spoke in a Midwestern farmer's tone. But he was a shrewd politician, and established a reputation for speaking the truth. Truman was born on May 8, 1884 in Lamar, Missouri. He was the oldest of three children of John Anderson Truman and Martha Ellen (Young) Truman(Steins 41). His birthplace is just south of the area into which his grandparents had moved from Kentucky four decades earlier(aol 2). The letter "S" in his name was not an abbreviation. It showed the family's reluctance to choose between his grandfathers, Anderson Shippe Truman and Solomon Young. In 1887 Truman as an infant was moved to a 600 acre farm owned by his mother's family (Hargrove 19). Harry often recalled how his granddad drove him to the Grandview Fair as a child. Harry also played in the cornfield and mud holes with his Shetland pony and his brother, Vivian (Hargrove 19). Shortly after Harry's sister, Mary Jane, was born the family moved to the little town of Independence, Missouri. There, Harry's thick glasses prevented from joining in many boyhood activities (aol 2). One of the friends that Harry met was a little, curly headed girl named Elizabeth "Bess" Wallace at the age of four years. Eventually they would marry (Hargrove 20). Harry started public school in 1892. Because of his poor eyesight his mother encouraged him to turn to piano and books (Steins 42). Harry began to read small sentences in the newspaper at the early age of five. This helped him stay away from the rough and tumble games that would break his glasses. He once said, "I was so cautioned about my glasses that I was afraid to join the boyish activities that I dearly so wanted to be a part of," (Hargrove 22). Despite some diphtheria in the second grade, Harry was an excellent student. He skipped the third grade entirely. Ironically, Harry had his first job while in the first grade at a drug store owned by William Clinton (Hargrove 22). Harry finished high school in 1901. He graduated with honors but was turned down an appointment to West Point due to poor eyesight (Steins 42). He took a job as a mailroom clerk at the Kansas City Star . Several years of work for a railroad and two banks added more to Truman's experience than to his finances (aol 3). Then, at the age of 22, he returned to the rural work into which he had been born. He spent the next eleven years as a farmer helping his father manage the Young farm in Grandview (aol 3). Working on a farm in the golden age of American agriculture he experienced a personal change, becoming less withdrawn and much more confident in his relations with other people. He began to actively participate in Democratic Party politics that later helped him as a politician. In 1917 the world was at war. After the sinking of the Lusitania, the U.S. was enveloped by war and also Harry heard his calling. Truman enrolled in Battery D, 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division, of the United States Army (Hargrove 25). He discovered that he had talents as a leader and gained the affection of a group of men who voted for him later. After the war, he joined Veterans organizations and the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Colonel. After returning home in 1919, Truman married his childhood friend, Bess, and established a haberdashery in Kansas City. The marriage succeeded, but the store didn't. Founded during the post war boom, it collapsed in the post war Depression. Left with heavy debts Truman was forced to think once again about his career (aol 3). Through an old army friend, Truman was appointed highway overseer of Jackson County, Missouri. While Truman avoided the corrupt side of the organization and handled his own offices honestly and efficiently, he remained loyal to the dirty Pendergast that got him elected. In 1926, Truman wanted a higher position. He became county judge of Jackson County. In the era where bad politics was popular politics Truman soon became known and

AP Chemistry Syllabus What Does It Cover

AP Chemistry Syllabus What Does It Cover SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips What does an AP Chemistry syllabus look like? How many labs do you have to do? And what skills are you expected to learn before the test? In this article, I'll take an in-depth look at the components of a successful AP Chemistry syllabus, including content coverage, lab work, and overall curriculum requirements. I'll also give an example of a full syllabus (based on a sample from the College Board) and provide some helpful tips for both students and teachers! What Does the AP Chemistry Course Cover? AP Chemistry is a wide-ranging course. The curriculum is divided into six "Big Ideas," or major themes, that encompass long lists of smaller topics. I'll list the Big Ideas along with the smaller themes within them that the College Board calls "Enduring Understandings." These are actually broken down further into pieces of "Essential Knowledge," which (for the sake of keeping this article to a reasonable length) are not included here. There are also seven Scientific Practices that students are expected to master in the course, which I'll list after the Big Ideas. This is a part of the new inquiry-based model of AP science courses that encourages independent thinking. Finally, there are some overarching Curricular Requirements that every AP Chemistry class must fulfill, which I'll go over after the Scientific Practices. For the full course description with even more details, consult this link! The 6 Big Ideas of AP Chemistry The Big Ideas are the fundamental concepts every AP Chemistry syllabus must cover. Big Idea 1: The chemical elements are fundamental building materials of matter, and all matter can be understood in terms of arrangement of atoms. These atoms retain their identities in chemical reactions. Enduring Understanding 1.A: All matter is made of atoms. There are a limited number of types of atoms; these are the elements. EU 1.B: The atoms of each element have unique structures arising from interactions between electrons and nuclei. EU 1.C: Elements display periodicity in their properties when the elements are organized according to increasing atomic number. Periodicity is a useful principle for understanding properties and predicting trends in properties. EU 1.D: Atoms are so small that they are difficult to study directly; atomic models are constructed to explain experimental data on collections of atoms. EU 1.E: Atoms are conserved in physical and chemical processes. Big Idea 2: Chemical and physical properties of materials can be explained by the structure and arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules and the forces between them. EU 2.A: Matter can be described by its physical properties. The physical properties of a substance generally depend on the spacing between the particles (atoms, molecules, ions) that make up the substance and the forces of attraction among them. EU 2.B: Forces of attraction between particles (including the noble gases and also different parts of some large molecules) are important in determining many macroscopic properties of a substance, including how the observable physical state changes with temperature. EU 2.C: The strong electrostatic forces of attraction holding atoms together in a unit are called chemical bonds. EU 2.D: The type of bonding in the solid state can be deduced from the properties of the solid state. Big Idea 3: Changes in matter involve the rearrangement and/or reorganization of atoms and/or the transfer of electrons. EU 3.A: Chemical changes are represented by a balanced chemical equation that identifies the ratios with which reactants react and products form. EU 3.B: Chemical reactions can be classified by considering what the reactants are, what the products are, or how they change from one into the other. Classes of chemical reactions include synthesis, decomposition, acid-base, and oxidation-reduction reactions. EU 3.C: Chemical and physical transformations may be observed in several ways and typically involve a change in energy. Big Idea 4: Rates of chemical reactions are determined by details of the molecular collisions. EU 4.A: Reaction rates that depend on temperature and other environmental factors are determined by measuring changes in concentrations of reactants or products over time. EU 4.B: Elementary reactions are mediated by collisions between molecules. Only collisions having sufficient energy and proper relative orientation of reactants lead to products. EU 4.C: Many reactions proceed via a series of elementary reactions. EU 4.D: Reaction rates may be increased by the presence of a catalyst. Big Idea 5: The laws of thermodynamics describe the essential role of energy and explain and predict the direction of changes in matter. EU 5.A: Two systems with different temperatures that are in thermal contact will exchange energy. The quantity of thermal energy transferred from one system to another. EU 5.B: Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but only transformed from one form to another. EU 5.C: Breaking bonds requires energy, and making bonds releases energy. EU 5.D: Electrostatic forces exist between molecules as well as between atoms or ions, and breaking the resultant intermolecular attractions requires energy. EU 5.E: Chemical or physical processes are driven by a decrease in enthalpy or an increase in entropy, or both. Big Idea 6: Any bond or intermolecular attraction that can be formed can be broken. These two processes are in a dynamic competition, sensitive to initial conditions and external perturbations. EU 6.A: Chemical equilibrium is a dynamic, reversible state in which rates of opposing processes are equal. EU 6.B: Systems at equilibrium are responsive to external perturbations, with the response leading to a change in the composition of the system. EU 6.C: Chemical equilibrium plays an important role in acid-base chemistry and in solubility. EU 6.D: The equilibrium constant is related to temperature and the difference in Gibbs free energy between reactants and products. This idea is huge by itself, and now you're telling me there are five more Sigh. Another day another dollar. The 7 Scientific Practices of AP Chemistry These seven "scientific practices" represent skills that students are expected to learn in AP Chemistry. Many of these relate to correct implementation of the scientific method in a lab context. They're especially tied to the "Guided Inquiry" labs, where students work independently to plan and conduct experiments. #1: The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems. #2: The student can use mathematics appropriately. #3: The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of the AP course. #4: The student can plan and implement data collection strategies in relation to a particular scientific question. [Note: Data can be collected from many different sources, e.g., investigations, scientific observations, the findings of others, historic reconstruction, and/or archived data.] #5: The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence. #6: The student can work with scientific explanations and theories. #7: The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts, and representations in and across domains. AP Chemistry Curricular Requirements The curricular requirements are concrete statements of expectations for the AP Chemistry course. These include requirements for the types of materials teachers must use in class, the structural framework of the course, the opportunities students should receive, and the percentage of class time devoted to labs. The course must use a recently published (within the past ten years) college-level chemistry textbook. The course must be structured around the Enduring Understandings within the Big Ideas as described in the AP Chemistry curriculum framework. Students should have opportunities outside of laboratory investigations to meet the learning objectives within each of the big ideas in the AP Chemistry curriculum. Students have the opportunity to connect their knowledge of chemistry and science to major societal or technological components to help them become scientifically literate citizens. Labs make up 25 percent of the instructional time at minimum and include at least 16 hands-on experiments. Lab investigations allow students to apply the seven science practices, and at least 6 of the 16 labs are conducted in a guided-inquiry format. "Guided inquiry" labs put students at the center of the learning process, encouraging them to pose, develop, and experimentally investigate questions (self-generated or supplied). Other more traditional labs are teacher-directed, which means that teachers provide not only the questions for investigation, but also set procedures and data collection strategies for student use. The course provides opportunities for students to develop, record, and maintain evidence of their verbal, written, and graphic communication skills through lab reports, summaries of literature or scientific investigations, and oral, written, and graphic presentations. Keep in mind that it takes a while for most students to learn how to hold presentation materials in ways that don't completely obscure their faces. Work on it. You'll get there, buddy. What Does an AP Chemistry Syllabus Look Like? The following is a summary of a sample syllabus supplied by the College Board that goes through all the units that would be taught in a standard AP Chemistry course. It also provides the number of class periods allotted for each unit. In this example, the class periods are 52 minutes long. You can read the full syllabus here, and there are also a few more sample syllabi on this page! Course Materials Primary Textbook Zumdahl, Steven and Susan Zumdahl. Chemistry, Eighth Edition. Belmont CA: Cengage Learning, 2012. Other Resources Used The College Board. AP Chemistry Guided Inquiry Experiments: Applying the Science Practices. 2013. Demmin, Peter. AP Chemistry, Fifth Edition. New York: DS Marketing Systems Inc., 2005. Vonderbrink, Sally. Laboratory Experiments for AP Chemistry. Batavia: Flinn Scientific, 2001. Randall, Jack. Advanced Chemistry with Vernier. Oregon: Vernier Software and Technology, 2004. Holmquist, Dan and Donald Volz. Chemistry with Calculators. Oregon: Vernier Software and Technology, 2003. Beran, Jo Allan. Laboratory Principles of General Chemistry, Seventh Edition. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2004. Unit 1: Chemistry Fundamentals 12 Class Periods 10 Problem sets 2 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Scientific method Classification of matter Nomenclature and formulas of binary compounds Polyatomic ions and other compounds Determination of atomic masses Mole concept Percent composition Empirical and molecular formula Writing chemical equations and drawn representations Balancing chemical equations Applying mole concept to chemical equations (stoichiometry) Determining limiting reactants, theoretical and percent yield of reactions Labs Math and Measurement in ScienceStudents learn how to measure mass and volume with varied pieces of equipment and focus on the accuracy of those pieces of equipment in their calculation and determination of significant figures. Students also determine the identity of an unknown organic liquid using density determination. Guided Inquiry Lab: Physical and Chemical PropertiesStudents are given the materials to conduct various procedures. They construct a procedure for each of the eight changes to be observed, have their procedures approved by the instructor, and then carry out the procedures. The data collected is used to develop a set of criteria for determining whether a given change is chemical or physical. Stoichiometry LabStudents determine the correct mole ratio of reactants in an exothermic reaction by mixing different amounts of reactants and graphing temperature changes. Unit 2: Types of Chemical Equations 8 Class Periods 4 Problem Sets 3 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Electrolytes and properties of water Molarity and preparation of solutions Precipitation reactions and solubility rules Acid-Base reactions and formation of a salt by titration Balancing redox reactions Simple redox titrations Gravimetric calculations Labs pH Titration LabStudents perform a titration and then determine the concentration of an HCl solution by using a potentiometric titration curve and finding the equivalence point. Data is graphed in a graphing program. Bleach LabStudents perform redox titrations to determine the concentration of hypochlorite in household bleach. Online Redox Titration ActivityOnline lab simulation where students can manipulate various factors to influence a redox titration. Unit 3: AP Style Net Ionic Equations 8 Class Periods 6 Problem Sets 4 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Redox and single replacement reactions Double replacement reactions Combustion reactions Addition reactions Decomposition reactions Labs Copper Reaction LabStudents perform a series of reactions, starting with copper and ending with copper. Students then calculate percent recovered. Unit 4: Gas Laws 8 Class Periods 5 Problem Sets 3 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Measurement of gases General gas laws - Boyle, Charles, Combined, and Ideal Dalton's Law of partial pressure Molar volume of gases and stoichiometry Graham's Law Kinetic Molecular Theory Real gases and deviation from ideal gas law Graham's law demonstration Labs Molecular Mass of a Volatile LiquidStudents use the Dumas method for determination of the molar mass of an unknown volatile liquid. Unit 5: Thermochemistry 8 Class Periods 5 Problem Sets 3 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Law of conservation of energy, work, and internal energy Endothermic and exothermic reactions Potential energy diagrams Calorimetry, heat capacity, and specific heat Hess's Law Heat of formation/combustion Bond energies Labs Guided Inquiry Lab: Hess's LawStudents perform a series of reactions and calculate enthalpy, proving Hess's law. Activity: Online Heating and Cooling Curve Simulations Unit 6: Atomic Structure and Periodicity 12 Class periods 9 Problem sets 4 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Electron configuration and the Aufbau principle Valence electrons and Lewis dot structures Periodic trends Table arrangement based on electronic properties Properties of light and study of waves Atomic spectra of hydrogen and energy levels Quantum mechanical model Quantum theory and electron orbitals Orbital shape and energies Spectroscopy Labs Spectroscopy LabStudents look at a series of emission spectra and determine the identity of an unknown. They will also receive and analyze IR and mass spectroscopy data. Activity: Periodic Table Dry LabStudents graph values for atomic radius, electronegativity, and ionization energy to predict trends and explain the organization of the periodic table. Unit 7: Chemical Bonding Class Periods 8 Problem Sets 4 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Lewis Dot structures Resonance structures and formal charge Bond polarity and dipole moments VSEPR models and molecular shape Polarity of molecules Lattice energies Hybridization Molecular orbitals and diagrams Labs Guided Inquiry: Bonding LabStudents experimentally investigate ionic and molecular substances deducing properties of their bonds in the process. Guided Inquiry: Investigation of SolidsStudents investigate types of solids using various experimental techniques. Activity: Atomic Theory Dry Lab (Students make drawings of a series of molecules and, from those drawings, predict geometry, hybridization, and polarity) Unit 8: Liquids, Solids, and Solutions 6 Class Periods 4 Problem Sets 2 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Structure and bonding Metals, network, and molecular Ionic, hydrogen, London, van der Waals Vapor pressure and changes in state Heating and cooling curves Composition of solutions Colloids and suspensions Separation techniques Effect on biological systems Labs Solution Preparation LabStudents make solutions of specified concentrations gravimetrically and by dilution. Solution concentrations will be checked for accuracy using a spectrophotometer. Vapor Pressure of Liquids LabStudents measure the vapor pressure of ethanol at different temperatures to determine ∆H. Activity: Effect on Biological SystemsStudents examine a demonstration size model of DNA or an alpha helix, and use their fingers to identify which atoms / base pairs are particularly involved in hydrogen bonding within the molecule, causing the helical structure. Students then discuss how the increased UV light because of ozone depletion can cause chemical reactions and thus mutations and disruption of hydrogen bonding. Unit 9: Kinetics 9 Class Periods 3 Problem Sets 3 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Rates of reactions Factors that affect rates of reactions/ collision theory Reaction Pathways Rate equation determination Rate constants Mechanisms Method of initial rates Integrated rate laws Activation energy and Boltzmann distribution Labs Guided Inquiry: Determining Order of a (Crystal Violet) ReactionUsing colorimetry and Beer's law, students determine the order of a reaction and its rate law. Determining the Activation Energy of a ReactionStudents use the same set-up as in the crystal violet lab, but, this time, varying temperature to calculate the activation energy with the use of the Arrhenius equation. Activity: Online Kinetics ActivityUsing a web-based simulation, students will study the elementary steps of a mechanism and how it relates to reaction rate and collision theory. Unit 10: General Equilibrium 6 Class Periods 4 Problem Sets 3 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Characteristics and conditions of chemical equilibrium Equilibrium expression derived from rates Factors that affect equilibrium Le Chatelier's principle The equilibrium constant Solving equilibrium problems Labs Determination of a Kc with Varied Initial ConcentrationsStudents use a spectrophotometer to determine the Kc of a series of reactions. Activity: Online Gas Phase Equilibrium ActivityIn the online inquiry activity, students are able to manipulate the environment and produce stresses that verify the tendency of Le Chatelier's principle. Unit : Acids and Bases 8 Class Periods 4 Problem sets 3 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Definition and nature of acids and bases Kw and the pH scale pH of strong and weak acids and bases Polyprotic acids pH of salts Structure of Acids and Bases Labs Determination of a Ka by Half TitrationStudents do a titration in which  ½ of the weak acid titrated is neutralized (aka midpoint), and then the Ka is determined. Unit 12: Buffers, Ksp, and Titrations Class Periods 6 Problem Sets 4 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Characteristics and capacity of buffers Titrations and pH curves Choosing Acid-Base Indicators pH and solubility Ksp Calculations and Solubility Product Labs Guided Inquiry: Types of TitrationsStudents investigate titration curves by doing titrations of different combinations of weak and strong acids and bases. Guided Inquiry: Preparation of a BufferGiven a selection of chemicals, students prepare a buffer of a given pH. Molar Solubility and Determination of KspStudents find the Ksp of calcium hydroxide doing a potentiometric titration with the addition of methyl orange indicator for verification. Unit 13: Thermodynamics 10 Class Periods 5 Problem Sets 3 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Laws of thermodynamics Spontaneous process and entropy Spontaneity, enthalpy, and free energy Free energy Free energy and equilibrium Rate and Spontaneity Labs Solubility and Determination of ΔH °, ΔS °, ΔG ° of Calcium HydroxideStudents collect and analyze data to determine ΔH °, ΔS °, and ΔG ° of calcium hydroxide. Unit 14: Electrochemistry 8 Class Periods 5 Problem Sets 4 Quizzes 1 Exam Topics Balancing redox equations Electrochemical cells and voltage The Nernst equation Spontaneous and non-spontaneous equations Chemical applications Labs Voltaic Cell LabStudents find the reduction potentials of a series of reactions using voltaic cells/multi-meters and build their own reduction potential table. Dilutions will be made, and the Nernst equation will also be tested. Final AP Review 16 Class Periods 4 Quizzes 4 Exams Topics Review of ALL topics 4 AP-Style Review Exams Mock AP Test Labs The Green Crystal LabA series of labs completed over a 4-week period. Students work at their own pace in pairs. The goal of this lab is to determine the empirical formula of a ferrioxalate crystal. It includes the following experiments: Experiment 1: Synthesis of the crystal Experiment 2: Standardization of KMnO4 by redox titration Experiment 3: Determination of % oxalate in crystal by redox titration Experiment 4: Standardization of NaOH by acid/base titration Experiment 5: Determination of % K+ and Fe3+ by ion exchange chromatography and a double equivalence point titration Experiment 6: Determination of the % water in the hydrated crystal Green crystals!!! Actually, the green crystals for the lab look even cooler than that. Teaching Tips for AP Chemistry These are some tips I came up with for AP Chemistry teachers based on my experiences as a student in the course. I struggled a lot with chemistry in high school (partially because my teacher wasn't very good), so here are a few things that I think would have helped me out at the time. Tip #1: Do Plenty of Sample Problems in Class (and Go Over Homework Thoroughly) When I was in AP Chemistry, I had a hard time understanding how to solve complex multi-step problems. I often couldn't figure them out on my own, even when I had read examples in the textbook and seen my teacher go through similar examples. I'd advise teachers to do as many sample problems as possible in class. It's important to give students background information, but walking through sample problems step-by-step is the most valuable practical instruction you can provide. You should also go through homework problem sets in class so that students can see exactly where they made mistakes and why. Encourage students to try redoing the problems with the new information they've learned to reinforce the correct methods. Tip #2: Offer Extra Help Sessions Because AP Chemistry is such a challenging class, it's likely that many students will be interested in extra help outside of the designated class period. Although students should be encouraged to take the initiative in asking for help, I think it's also a good idea to set up a designated time when you'll be available after school. Block out a couple of after-school hours one or two days a week, and encourage students to come to you with any questions or concerns they have about the class. You can also set aside times for review sessions before each exam that all students are encouraged to attend. These could even include chemistry-themed review games and competitions (if your students are true nerds they will love this). Tip #3: Give Students Real AP Practice Tests To prepare effectively for the AP test, students need to get used to the format and timing. As you get closer to the exam, administer a few mock AP tests. Translate grades to where they would fall on the AP scale so that students have a better idea of where they're scoring and how much they need to study to reach their goals. This will help give them more motivation to study and force any stragglers to get serious about improving their scores. Grades on real AP practice tests will help light a fire under students who have a tendency to procrastinate and cram. Tips for AP Chemistry Students If, on the other hand you're an AP Chemistry student, you may find these tips for doing well in this challenging class helpful. Tip #1: Pay Attention in Class Obviously, right? Well, not necessarily; zoning out during lectures is something that we're all guilty of doing because we're human beings. However, this is a class where you really, really need to pay attention to your teacher's explanations. It's hard to self-teach chemistry because you're not just memorizing facts, you're learning how to do different types of calculations and navigate a bunch of new terminologies. If you can only pay attention to one thing, make it the example problems that your teacher does in class. Take notes on the solution steps so you can refer to them in the future and refresh your memory. Tip #2: Ask Lots of Questions (and Get Help If You Need It!) If you don't understand something, get clarification as soon as possible. AP Chemistry isn't a class where you can let a few things fall by the wayside and still get by. The information builds on itself, so it's critical that you have a strong understanding of every concept. Gaps in knowledge will come back to bite you in the end! If you don't feel like you're getting enough of an explanation in class, don't be afraid to ask your teacher for extra help. Tip #3: Don't Fall Behind It will be tempting to say "oh, I don't actually need to do this problem set" or "eh, I'll read this chapter later." But if you do that too many times, before you know it you'll have no idea what's happening in class. This course moves very quickly from one complex concept to the next, so you can't afford to fall behind. As I mentioned, concepts build on one another. If you find yourself slipping and losing touch with what's going on in the course, ask your teacher for extra help as soon as possible to resolve the issue. Tip #4: Get a Review Book, and Review Concepts Throughout the Year Review books can be very helpful for AP Chemistry because they're well-organized catalogs of all the different concepts you will learn in the course. There's so much packed into the curriculum that I'd recommend buying a book so you have something to ground yourself as you're looking back through the material. You can use the review book for practice problems and AP review sessions throughout the year. Every couple of months, do a review of everything you've learned so far to keep the information at the front of your mind. Here's my list of the best review books for AP Chemistry to give you a lil head start. Review books will lay out the structure of the course more clearly for you so that you don't get lost in your notes! Conclusion To recap, the AP Chemistry syllabus revolves around six "Big Ideas," which are main themes that cover more specific concepts called "Enduring Understandings." Each AP Chemistry course is expected to give students the skills they need to understand these larger themes and connect them to a basic factual knowledge of the ins and outs of chemistry. Additionally, an effective course syllabus provides assignments that enable students to master the seven "Scientific Practices" established by the course guidelines. It will also adhere to the rules established by the Curriculum Requirements. A few tips I would recommend for teaching this course are: #1: Do Lots of Sample Problems in Class#2: Offer Built-In Extra Help Sessions#3: Administer Official Practice AP Tests Some tips I would recommend for students who want to do well in AP Chemistry are: #1: Pay Attention in Class#2: Ask Questions, and Get Help if You Need It#3: Avoid Slacking Off and Falling Behind#4: Use a Review Book to Supplement Class Materials AP Chemistry is a fast-paced class that covers complex concepts, but with a logically formatted syllabus and a concerted effort from both students and teachers, the course can be an enlightening introduction to a fundamental aspect of how the world works! What's Next? Is AP Chemistry really as challenging as some people think? Read this article for a detailed examination of the difficulty level of the course (and exam). Need help preparing for the final exam? Check out my ultimate study guide for AP Chemistry! If you're taking AP Chemistry, chances are that you're applying to colleges that require or recommend submission of SAT Subject Test scores. Learn more about the differences between AP Tests and SAT Subject Tests and whether one is more important than the other. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Careful Writers Make Good Bedfellows (or at Least Good Housemates)

Careful Writers Make Good Bedfellows (or at Least Good Housemates) Careful Writers Make Good Bedfellows (or at Least Good Housemates) Careful Writers Make Good Bedfellows (or at Least Good Housemates) By Mark Nichol I was interested to read about a recent University of Michigan study that concluded that people who are highly judgmental about writing errors tend to be more introverted and have less pleasant personalities than those who are more forgiving about people’s flawed writing skills. The tools of the study were a questionnaire that, when answered by research subjects, enabled researchers to identify the people as introverted or extroverted and to rate them as having easygoing or difficult personalities, along with a set of fake responses to housemate ads. The study concluded that introverts and difficult people were less likely to respond to people who had sent error-ridden replies than extroverts and people with more appealing personalities. Overall, both introverts and difficult people were more likely than extroverts and people who rated higher on healthy personality qualities to be judgmental about errors. However, the study made a distinction between two types of writing errors: typos, or typographical errors (such as typing mkae instead of make), and grammos, or grammatical errors (such as confusing your and you’re). The study did not pertain to more substantial errors of grammar and syntax such as dangling or misplaced modifiers (or to usage or style errors), but it found that typos were more likely to irk those whose questionnaire responses identified them as introverts, while people determined to have negative personality traits tended to be bothered more by grammos. Would you be less likely to respond to an email by a prospective housemate whose message was full of errors? I certainly would, which apparently identifies me as an introverted jerk- or as an editor, which is perhaps the same thing. Why? Because typographical errors indicate carelessness (I make them, too, but I generally identify and correct them before I publish), and I don’t want a careless housemate. I am more forgiving of grammatical errors, because I know that writing skill does not necessarily correlate with intelligence, though I would be concerned about a lack of compatibility with someone who does not know the difference between your and you’re. Careful writing is important in business communication, and a response to a housemate ad is, in one respect, a business communication, because it involves financial transactions (sharing the costs of rent, utilities, and at least some household supplies). A potential housemate who does not bother to run spell-check before sending me an email is failing to demonstrate diligence. And though I strive not to let grammatical errors annoy me (otherwise, I would have to forgo reading for leisure), I can’t help judging those who do not exercise care in writing. If you bother to write a job application carefully or to proofread an email before you send it to a colleague, you are likely careful about your correspondence when you seek to be chosen as a housemate (which is, in a sense, like being hired). Whether you choose to be diligent when sending a text message or an email to a friend or posting to social media is up to you (though I assume subscribers to these posts are more likely than the general population to do so). My role as an editor is to help a writer communicate. Communication is, of course, also the writer’s key objective, whether one is writing a book or an email message. The same degree of diligence is not required for one as for another, but demonstrating some level of effort to clearly convey one’s message, regardless of the message, is one’s primary duty as a writer. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:60 Synonyms for â€Å"Walk†7 Patterns of Sentence Structure

Analyze Friendships Mysteries, to my Dearest LucasiaandOn Being Essay

Analyze Friendships Mysteries, to my Dearest LucasiaandOn Being Brought .. To S. M., A Young - Essay Example y—an ode to a loved one—and manipulating and taking a huge innovative step forward by switching the identity of the speaker, by making it a poem about two women loving one another. She is also taking a rebellious stand against male hierarchy and saying lesbians are as good as anyone else. Wheatley too was a rebel: the first published African American poet. Indeed, few people at the time could believe that a black woman could write so well: she was even challenged in court on the subject. She too brings religion into the picture writing in her poems, trying to show that all people are equal and worthy of respect. For example, she writes: â€Å"Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,/May be refind, and join th angelic train† She also worked hard to promote the works of other African Americans as in her poem â€Å"To S. M., a Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works.† Her criticism and poetry helped definitively shape African American literature, much the way that Philips’ poetry shaped lesbian literature. They are both

Contemporary issues in business (Primark) Essay

Contemporary issues in business (Primark) - Essay Example Based on the success rate of the company, it has become apparent that more stores are needed to be added to the chain for improving its value. The company caters to the customers belonging from diverse age groups (Primark Stores Limited, 2013). It targets those consumers who are fashion conscious and want proper value in return for their money. The company caters to the market by way of fulfilment of needs of the people by supplying both menswear and ladies-wear. In addition, it also aims to meet the requirement of the market by way of supplying other products that range from accessories & hosiery, children’s wear and footwear among others. The company is said to attain a sales target of ?3.5billion in the year 2012 which is quite impressive (Northern and Shell Media Publications, 2013). The company has a very effective supply chain that brings together different manufacturing units in India, Turkey, and Bangladesh, China and other countries, having a number of retail outlets in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and in other parts of Europe (The Times Newspaper Limited and  ©MBA Publishing Ltd, 2010; Dobson, 2004). In relation to the ethical and corporate social responsibility, the company acts in a much diversified manner. It focuses upon delivering quality products at cheap prices and at the same time retaining the customers by way of creating value for the goods which are manufactured. Identification of the CSR responsibilities of Primark is considered to be the main theme of the paper. Additionally, the paper also aims to highlight various reasons for which the company focuses upon developing and third world countries in relation to sourcing of its products. A Snapshot of Primark Store Source: (The Times Newspaper Limited and  ©MBA Publishing Ltd, 2010) 2.0 Reasons for Sourcing From Developing Countries The primary reason for sourcing from developing countries is to source the products in an efficient manner. Moreover, the company in order to improve the manufacturing process the company opted for developing countries. Another reason was to utilise the local fabrics for producing the products. The other reason for sourcing was to create a strong focus on the current product trends (Choi, 2012). 2.1 Growth Rate It would enable to provide high opportunity of growth to the developing nations. It would allow the company to achieve the high rates of growth because it will get to expand its business channels. Primark’s business expansion comes from fulfilling the needs of the customers along with continuing to expand its markets in the selected regions. The company is able to implement very effective marketing strategies as it is primarily laying its focus upon the developing countries. These factors can prove to be concurrent in relation to the aspects related to growth (Grose, 2011).Therefore, the company planned to source its products from developing countries to attain high rate of growth through sourcing the products from developing nations (Grose, 2011). 2.2 Competitive Advantage This would lead to growth of an ideal company

The Application of Study Loans Essay Example for Free

The Application of Study Loans Essay The chart shown that as increasing for study loan among students. The years of applications for study loans is from 2004 until 2008. This chart is too closely related between the applications for study loans and the reason for applying for study loans. The applications for study loans are including male and female students. There are many reasons for students who wants to applying for study loans. Firstly, the comparison year from 2007 till 2008. It is show that were increase. This is because students wants to be independent if they get the loans. They think that they will not pester parents for wanting to be independent in the pursuit of our own future without make life difficult for anyone. The same time, the money they get, can be used with thrifty. Secondly, the year difference between 2004 to 2005. It is show that the number of students were increase. This in turn is caused by students unwilling to work and study. Additionally, reduced application rates because students are not willing to work and study. Such a case because the students do not want to work and at the same time want to learn. For them, its hard to juggle work and study. That is why students need applying for study loans to continue their education. Thirdly, the year 2006, it is show the number of students is remain constant. This caused economic downturn. Parents retrenched and need money for other purposes. Thing like that, too, who had to apply for a loan cause students to continue studying. Such a case, can help students who need the money to continue his studies and purchase the study. In a nutshell, based on the chart show that many reason in application for study loans. Beside that, parents do not have the means and other factors also the reasons for applying for study loans for students who require.

Death of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Millers Tragedy and the

Death of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Miller's Tragedy and the Common Man In Tragedy and the Common Man, Arthur Miller discusses his definition and criteria for tragedy as they apply to the common man. The criteria and standards proposed by Miller may be used to evaluate his timeless work, Death of A Salesman. The first major standard of tragedy set forth is:   â€Å"...if the exaltation of tragic action were truly a property of the high-bred character alone, it is inconceivable that the mass of mankind should cherish tragedy above all other forms.† All persons regardless of background, nobility stature, rank, or pretended or actual social division can innately empathize with the tragic hero. In the case of Willy Loman there is a certain familiarity. He is the proverbial man down the block; indeed we may say in viewing the play   common man is empathizing with common man. Willy Loman is real. Where as some may remark, â€Å"I know someone like him,† perhaps they may even see themselves in him. Miller’s subtle wordplay of â€Å"Loman† and â€Å"layman† is interesting in this regard. It is our familiarity with Willy Loman that is the endearing quality which draws us closer to him. Through, identification with his struggles and pains we achieve an apprec iation of his plight. This identification is universal. The universality of identification is, among   those reading or viewing the play, a bonding force for persons of every station. Miller’s success in this point is bred from our own pathos for Willie Loman.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Another point by Miller is that, â€Å"the tragic feeling is invoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is willing to lay down his life... to secure one thing- his sense of personal dignity.† Willie Loman is tha... ...mething greater than himself, his image, or his success. He is motivated by his love for his son.   Therefore, since his primary focus is beyond himself, it consequently elevates him. He taps into and is accordingly clothed with   the grandeur tragedy.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Considering the points discussed here in this paper, which is by no means a comprehensive analysis of Miller’s essay, several questions are raised in my mind. Did Arthur Miller provide us with this essay as a response or defense of Death of a Salesman? Is he trying to justify his work by remolding the definition of tragedy to justify and elevate this play? Whatever the case it is clear that Death of a Salesman fits the model set forth by Miller in Tragedy and the Common Man. Miller, Arthur. "Tragedy and the Common Man." Weales, Gerald, ed. Death of a Salesman: Text and Criticism. New York: Penguin Books 1996.

Cash for Organs

Sheila Rivers ENG 101/MWF Oct. 29, 2012 Mr. Viquesney Cash for Organs Charity should be the only basis for organ donation. On the other hand, cash compensation for donating organs should be an option and legalized. With the overwhelming need for organs and not enough donors in the United States, an open, regulated, and legal cash-for-organs market is needed to balance the need and shortage of organs. There will always be a need for organ donations.According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), as of October 2012 there are 116,421 men, women, and children on the organ transplant waitlist to receive hearts, livers, kidneys, and other human organs. With a total of only 8,280 donors alive and deceased so far this year, the need for donated organs far exceeds the donation of organs. This need for donated organs leaves a large gap in transplants and consequently patients wait months, even years on the waiting list for donated organs. Every ten minutes another name is added to th e national organ transplant waiting list.By the time patients get on the waiting list they have been evaluated by a transplant doctor and is in end stage organ failure. According to (organdonor. gov) right now, there are more than enough people waiting for an organ to fill a football stadium twice over. On average, 18 people die every day waiting for a transplant that never happens as a direct result of the lack of organ donations. Patients that can afford it will travel to other countries to purchase organs on the black market to save their life. The National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) passed in 1984, made the buying and selling of human organs in the United States illegal.Over all too many people die each year waiting for a donated organ that is not available to save their life. The option to sell an organ should be solely left up to the individual who wants to do so, as long as the procedure and all the risks that are involved are fully understood. If someone decides to sell and organ to who ever they want, for a momentary compensation they should have the right to do so. It will not only save the life of the recipient, but also financially compensate the donor in return. After all it is their body and the government should not have the right to tell people that selling an organ for compensation is illegal.With so many people dying and waiting for a life saving organ transplant, this would decrease the deaths and wait time for an organ. In 1988 Iran became one of the first Nations to permit and regulate payment and other incentives for living donor transplants. As a result, the number of renal transplants performed substantially increased such that in 1999, the renal transplant waitlist was completely eliminated. Currently, Iran has no renal transplant waiting list. With results such as this, proves that cash for human organs can potentially eliminate the transplant waitlist in the United States.A number of transplant experts have been convinced tat provid ing financial incentives to organ sources, as an alternative to altruistic organ donation needs careful reconsideration. By permitting an open, regulated, and legal cash-for-organs market this could save the lives of the people who suffer and die daily because of kidney failure while waiting for a donated kidney. The director of Kidney Health Australia said â€Å"if it was carefully regulated in a way that avoided any potential abuse and was organized by the government or some other process that was meaningful, a pilot would be worthwhile doing† [Mathew].If there were some kind of compensation for organ donations, more people would be interested and willing to become organ donors. The kidney is the only organ a person can sell or donate and safely continue to live without. Even though we are born with two kidneys a person can live a full and normal life with just one, in addition to living just as long as a person with two. In the case of a kidney, a love donor is capable of living successfully after a transplant surgery, because over the years surgeries have become safer and less invasive for the donor with less down time.According to the registry data from UNOS, research has shown that a kidney from a live donor is the best option for long-term transplantation. Over the years the number of living donors have steadily decreased while the deceased donors have increased, although the increase in not enough to offset the decrease. NOTA was also created to address the critical organ donation shortage and improve the organ matching and placement process. As said, â€Å"Due to the high success rate of organ transplants over the years it has made getting an organ more difficult.Improved survival rates and the expectation that organ replacement will enhance quality of life have encouraged more doctors and their patients with organ failure to opt for transplantation† [Klein]. The early organ transplants performed routinely had a high mortality rate; the major issue was the patients’ immune system rejected the foreign organ. Throughout the years with the introduction of medicine has helped lower the mortality rate due to the rejection of the foreign organ and organ transplants have become more routine and less experimental.To their surprise, donors do not understand or know how many lives are saved or can be saved simply by donating organs. There are no age requirements to being an organ donor. The fact is everyone can be an organ donor; anybody under the age of eighteen has to have a parental consent. The process of convincing individuals to be an organ donor is challenging, and some of these challenges are a lack of knowledge, fear of premature death, and the lack of trust of the medical profession. Most people do not know what the process of organ donation is and how it works to save lives.People feel that if the doctor knew they where an organ donor he/she would not put as much effort into saving their life because of thi s. If people had a better understanding and more knowledge about the process of organ donation more people would be willing to donate organs to help save lives. Charity should not be the only option for organ donation. When charity is the only option the donor do not have the right to give their organ to who they wish. With so many people on the waitlist for an organ transplant and way to few donors there needs to be another way to attract donors.The cash for organ program that has shown a success in other countries should be looked at on a more serious note. Due to the shortage sever shortage of donated organs that has led to needless death of so many people, the cash for organs seems to be a very legitimate way to save lives. Until modern medicine can completely grow fully develop human organs there will always be a need for human organs and the fastest way to obtain organs for transplant is to offer monetaury compensation.The compensation for human organs will open up a market fo r willing donors. Bibliography optn. transplant. hrsa. gov unos. org Klein, Andrew S. , MD, director of Cedar’s-Sinai Medical Center Declining Organ Donations, Causes Widening Need Gap, Life Science, 22 March 2010 Ahad, Ghods J. , Dr. ‘Iranian Model of Paid and Regulated Living-Unrelated Kidney Donation. † Cjasn. asnjournals. org N. p. , n. d. Web Page 1 www. unos. org Page 2 www. optn. transplant. hrsa. gov Page 2 Andrew S. Klein, MD, director of Cedar’s-Sinai Medical Center

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 60-62

CHAPTER 60 Sangreal†¦ Sang Real†¦ San Greal†¦ Royal Blood†¦ Holy Grail. It was all intertwined. The Holy Grail is Mary Magdalene†¦the mother of the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ.Sophie felt a new wave of disorientation as she stood in the silence of the ballroom and stared at Robert Langdon. The more pieces Langdon and Teabing laid on the table tonight, the more unpredictable this puzzle became. â€Å"As you can see, my dear,† Teabing said, hobbling toward a bookshelf,† Leonardo is not the only one who has been trying to tell the world the truth about the Holy Grail. The royal bloodline of Jesus Christ has been chronicled in exhaustive detail by scores of historians.† He ran a finger down a row of several dozen books. Sophie tilted her head and scanned the list of titles: THE TEMPLAR REVELATION:Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ THE WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER JAR: Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail THE GODDESS IN THE GOSPELS Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine â€Å"Here is perhaps the best-known tome,† Teabing said, pulling a tattered hardcover from the stack and handing it to her. The cover read: HOLY BLOOD, HOLY GRAIL The Acclaimed International Bestseller Sophie glanced up. â€Å"An international bestseller? I've never heard of it.† â€Å"You were young. This caused quite a stir back in the nineteen eighties. To my taste, the authors made some dubious leaps of faith in their analysis, but their fundamental premise is sound, and to their credit, they finally brought the idea of Christ's bloodline into the mainstream.† â€Å"What was the Church's reaction to the book?† â€Å"Outrage, of course. But that was to be expected. After all, this was a secret the Vatican had tried to bury in the fourth century. That's part of what the Crusades were about. Gathering and destroying information. The threat Mary Magdalene posed to the men of the early Church was potentially ruinous. Not only was she the woman to whom Jesus had assigned the task of founding the Church, but she also had physical proof that the Church's newly proclaimed deity had spawned a mortal bloodline. The Church, in order to defend itself against the Magdalene's power, perpetuated her image as a whore and buried evidence of Christ's marriage to her, thereby defusing any potential claims that Christ had a surviving bloodline and was a mortal prophet.† Sophie glanced at Langdon, who nodded. â€Å"Sophie, the historical evidence supporting this is substantial.† â€Å"I admit,† Teabing said,† the assertions are dire, but you must understand the Church's powerful motivations to conduct such a cover-up. They could never have survived public knowledge of a bloodline. A child of Jesus would undermine the critical notion of Christ's divinity and therefore the Christian Church, which declared itself the sole vessel through which humanity could access the divine and gain entrance to the kingdom of heaven.† â€Å"The five-petal rose,† Sophie said, pointing suddenly to the spine of one of Teabing's books. The same exact design inlaid on the rosewood box. Teabing glanced at Langdon and grinned. â€Å"She has a good eye.† He turned back to Sophie. â€Å"That is the Priory symbol for the Grail. Mary Magdalene. Because her name was forbidden by the Church, Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms – the Chalice, the Holy Grail, and the Rose.† He paused. â€Å"The Rose has ties to the five-pointed pentacle of Venus and the guiding Compass Rose. By the way, the word rose is identical in English, French, German, and many other languages.† â€Å"Rose,† Langdon added,† is also an anagram of Eros, the Greek god of sexual love.† Sophie gave him a surprised look as Teabing plowed on.† The Rose has always been the premiere symbol of female sexuality. In primitive goddess cults, the five petals represented the five stations of female life – birth, menstruation, motherhood, menopause, and death. And in modern times, the flowering rose's ties to womanhood are considered more visual.† He glanced at Robert. â€Å"Perhaps the symbologist could explain?† Robert hesitated. A moment too long. â€Å"Oh, heavens!† Teabing huffed. â€Å"You Americans are such prudes.† He looked back at Sophie. â€Å"What Robert is fumbling with is the fact that the blossoming flower resembles the female genitalia, the sublime blossom from which all mankind enters the world. And if you've ever seen any paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe, you'll know exactly what I mean.† â€Å"The point here,† Langdon said, motioning back to the bookshelf,† is that all of these books substantiate the same historical claim.† â€Å"That Jesus was a father.† Sophie was still uncertain. â€Å"Yes,† Teabing said. â€Å"And that Mary Magdalene was the womb that carried His royal lineage. The Priory of Sion, to this day, still worships Mary Magdalene as the Goddess, the Holy Grail, the Rose, and the Divine Mother.† Sophie again flashed on the ritual in the basement. â€Å"According to the Priory,† Teabing continued,† Mary Magdalene was pregnant at the time of the crucifixion. For the safety of Christ's unborn child, she had no choice but to flee the Holy Land. With the help of Jesus' trusted uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalene secretly traveled to France, then known as Gaul. There she found safe refuge in the Jewish community. It was here in France that she gave birth to a daughter. Her name was Sarah.† Sophie glanced up. â€Å"They actually know the child's name?† â€Å"Far more than that. Magdalene's and Sarah's lives were scrutinously chronicled by their Jewish protectors. Remember that Magdalene's child belonged to the lineage of Jewish kings – David and Solomon. For this reason, the Jews in France considered Magdalene sacred royalty and revered her as the progenitor of the royal line of kings. Countless scholars of that era chronicled Mary Magdalene's days in France, including the birth of Sarah and the subsequent family tree.† Sophie was startled. â€Å"There exists a family tree of Jesus Christ?† â€Å"Indeed. And it is purportedly one of the cornerstones of the Sangreal documents. A complete genealogy of the early descendants of Christ.† â€Å"But what good is a documented genealogy of Christ's bloodline?† Sophie asked. â€Å"It's not proof. Historians could not possibly confirm its authenticity.† Teabing chuckled. â€Å"No more so than they can confirm the authenticity of the Bible.† â€Å"Meaning?† â€Å"Meaning that history is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books – books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe. As Napoleon once said, ‘What is history, but a fable agreed upon?'†He smiled. â€Å"By its very nature, history is always a one-sided account.† Sophie had never thought of it that way.† The Sangreal documents simply tell the other side of the Christ story. In the end, which side of the story you believe becomes a matter of faith and personal exploration, but at least the information has survived. The Sangreal documents include tens of thousands of pages of information. Eyewitness accounts of the Sangreal treasure describe it as being carried in four enormous trunks. In those trunks are reputed to be the Purist Docum ents – thousands of pages of unaltered, pre- Constantine documents, written by the early followers of Jesus, revering Him as a wholly human teacher and prophet. Also rumored to be part of the treasure is the legendary† Q† Document – a manuscript that even the Vatican admits they believe exists. Allegedly, it is a book of Jesus' teachings, possibly written in His own hand.† â€Å"Writings by Christ Himself?† â€Å"Of course,† Teabing said. â€Å"Why wouldn't Jesus have kept a chronicle of His ministry? Most people did in those days. Another explosive document believed to be in the treasure is a manuscript called The Magdalene Diaries – Mary Magdalene's personal account of her relationship with Christ, His crucifixion, and her time in France.† Sophie was silent for a long moment. â€Å"And these four chests of documents were the treasure that the Knights Templar found under Solomon's Temple?† â€Å"Exactly. The documents that made the Knights so powerful. The documents that have been the object of countless Grail quests throughout history.† â€Å"But you said the Holy Grail was Mary Magdalene.If people are searching for documents, why would you call it a search for the Holy Grail?† Teabing eyed her, his expression softening. â€Å"Because the hiding place of the Holy Grail includes a sarcophagus.† Outside, the wind howled in the trees. Teabing spoke more quietly now. â€Å"The quest for the Holy Grail is literally the quest to kneel before the bones of Mary Magdalene. A journey to pray at the feet of the outcast one, the lost sacred feminine.† Sophie felt an unexpected wonder. â€Å"The hiding place of the Holy Grail is actually†¦ a tomb?† Teabing's hazel eyes got misty. â€Å"It is. A tomb containing the body of Mary Magdalene and the documents that tell the true story of her life. At its heart, the quest for the Holy Grail has always been a quest for the Magdalene – the wronged Queen, entombed with proof of her family's rightful claim to power.† Sophie waited a moment as Teabing gathered himself. So much about her grandfather was still not making sense. â€Å"Members of the Priory,† she finally said,† all these years have answered the charge of protecting the Sangreal documents and the tomb of Mary Magdalene?† â€Å"Yes, but the brotherhood had another, more important duty as well – to protect the bloodline itself. Christ's lineage was in perpetual danger. The early Church feared that if the lineage were permitted to grow, the secret of Jesus and Magdalene would eventually surface and challenge the fundamental Catholic doctrine – that of a divine Messiah who did not consort with women or engage in sexual union.† He paused. â€Å"Nonetheless, Christ's line grew quietly under cover in France until making a bold move in the fifth century, when it intermarried with French royal blood and created a lineage known as the Merovingian bloodline.† This news surprised Sophie. Merovingian was a term learned by every student in France. â€Å"The Merovingians founded Paris.† â€Å"Yes. That's one of the reasons the Grail legend is so rich in France. Many of the Vatican's Grail quests here were in fact stealth missions to erase members of the royal bloodline. Have you heard of King Dagobert?† Sophie vaguely recalled the name from a grisly tale in history class. â€Å"Dagobert was a Merovingian king, wasn't he? Stabbed in the eye while sleeping?† â€Å"Exactly. Assassinated by the Vatican in collusion with Pepin d'Heristal. Late seventh century. With Dagobert's murder, the Merovingian bloodline was almost exterminated. Fortunately, Dagobert's son, Sigisbert, secretly escaped the attack and carried on the lineage, which later included Godefroi de Bouillon – founder of the Priory of Sion.† â€Å"The same man,† Langdon said,† who ordered the Knights Templar to recover the Sangreal documents from beneath Solomon's Temple and thus provide the Merovingians proof of their hereditary ties to Jesus Christ.† Teabing nodded, heaving a ponderous sigh. â€Å"The modern Priory of Sion has a momentous duty. Theirs is a threefold charge. The brotherhood must protect the Sangreal documents. They must protect the tomb of Mary Magdalene. And, of course, they must nurture and protect the bloodline of Christ – those few members of the royal Merovingian bloodline who have survived into modern times.† The words hung in the huge space, and Sophie felt an odd vibration, as if her bones were reverberating with some new kind of truth. Descendants of Jesus who survived into modern times. Her grandfather's voice again was whispering in her ear. Princess, I must tell you the truth about your family. A chill raked her flesh. Royal blood. She could not imagine. Princess Sophie. â€Å"Sir Leigh?† The manservant's words crackled through the intercom on the wall, and Sophie jumped. â€Å"If you could join me in the kitchen a moment?† Teabing scowled at the ill-timed intrusion. He went over to the intercom and pressed the button. â€Å"Remy, as you know, I am busy with my guests. If we need anything else from the kitchen tonight, we will help ourselves. Thank you and good night.† â€Å"A word with you before I retire, sir. If you would.† Teabing grunted and pressed the button. â€Å"Make it quick, Remy.† â€Å"It is a household matter, sir, hardly fare for guests to endure.† Teabing looked incredulous. â€Å"And it cannot wait until morning?† â€Å"No, sir. My question won't take a minute.† Teabing rolled his eyes and looked at Langdon and Sophie. â€Å"Sometimes I wonder who is serving whom?† He pressed the button again. â€Å"I'll be right there, Remy. Can I bring you anything when I come?† â€Å"Only freedom from oppression, sir.† â€Å"Remy, you realize your steak au poivre is the only reason you still work for me.† â€Å"So you tell me, sir. So you tell me.† CHAPTER 61 Princess Sophie. Sophie felt hollow as she listened to the clicking of Teabing's crutches fade down the hallway. Numb, she turned and faced Langdon in the deserted ballroom. He was already shaking his head as if reading her mind. â€Å"No, Sophie,† he whispered, his eyes reassuring. â€Å"The same thought crossed my mind when I realized your grandfather was in the Priory, and you said he wanted to tell you a secret about your family. But it's impossible.† Langdon paused. â€Å"Sauniere is not a Merovingian name.† Sophie wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. Earlier, Langdon had asked an unusual passing question about Sophie's mother's maiden name. Chauvel. The question now made sense.† And Chauvel?† she asked, anxious. Again he shook his head. â€Å"I'm sorry. I know that would have answered some questions for you. Only two direct lines of Merovingians remain. Their family names are Plantard and Saint-Clair. Both families live in hiding, probably protected by the Priory.† Sophie repeated the names silently in her mind and then shook her head. There was no one in her family named Plantard or Saint-Clair. A weary undertow was pulling at her now. She realized she was no closer than she had been at the Louvre to understanding what truth her grandfather had wanted to reveal to her. Sophie wished her grandfather had never mentioned her family this afternoon. He had torn open old wounds that felt as painful now as ever. They are dead, Sophie.They are not coming back.She thought of her mother singing her to sleep at night, of her father giving her rides on his shoulders, and of her grandmother and younger brother smiling at her with their fervent green eyes. All that was stolen. And all she had left was her grandfather. And now he is gone too. I am alone. Sophie turned quietly back to The Last Supper and gazed at Mary Magdalene's long red hair and quiet eyes. There was something in the woman's expression that echoed the loss of a loved one. Sophie could feel it too. â€Å"Robert?† she said softly. He stepped closer.† I know Leigh said the Grail story is all around us, but tonight is the first time I've ever heard any of this.† Langdon looked as if he wanted to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he refrained.† You've heard her story before, Sophie. Everyone has. We just don't realize it when we hear it.† â€Å"I don't understand.† â€Å"The Grail story is everywhere, but it is hidden. When the Church outlawed speaking of the shunned Mary Magdalene, her story and importance had to be passed on through more discreet channels†¦ channels that supported metaphor and symbolism.† â€Å"Of course. The arts.† Langdon motioned to The Last Supper. â€Å"A perfect example. Some of today's most enduring art, literature, and music secretly tell the history of Mary Magdalene and Jesus.† Langdon quickly told her about works by Da Vinci, Botticelli, Poussin, Bernini, Mozart, and Victor Hugo that all whispered of the quest to restore the banished sacred feminine. Enduring legends like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, King Arthur, and Sleeping Beauty were Grail allegories. Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame and Mozart's Magic Flute were filled with Masonic symbolism and Grail secrets. â€Å"Once you open your eyes to the Holy Grail,† Langdon said,† you see her everywhere. Paintings. Music. Books. Even in cartoons, theme parks, and popular movies.† Langdon held up his Mickey Mouse watch and told her that Walt Disney had made it his quiet life's work to pass on the Grail story to future generations. Throughout his entire life, Disney had been hailed as† the Modern-Day Leonardo Da Vinci.† Both men were generations ahead of their times, uniquely gifted artists, members of secret societies, and, most notably, avid pranksters. Like Leonardo, Walt Disney loved infusing hidden messages and symbolism in his art. For the trained symbologist, watching an early Disney movie was like being barraged by an avalanche of allusion and metaphor. Most of Disney's hidden messages dealt with religion, pagan myth, and stories of the subjugated goddess. It was no mistake that Disney retold tales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White – all of which dealt with the incarceration of the sacred feminine. Nor did one need a background in symbolism to understand that Snow White – a princess who fell from grace after partaking of a poisoned apple – was a clear allusion to the downfall of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Or that Sleeping Beauty's Princess Aurora – code-named† Rose† and hidden deep in the forest to protect her from the clutches of the evil witch – was the Grail story for children. Despite its corporate image, Disney still had a savvy, playful element among its employees, and their artists still amused themselves by inserting hidden symbolism in Disney products. Langdon would never forget one of his students bringing in a DVD of The Lion King and pausing the film to reveal a freeze-frame in which the word SEX was clearly visible, spelled out by floating dust particles over Simba's head. Although Langdon suspected this was more of a cartoonist's sophomoric prank than any kind of enlightened allusion to pagan human sexuality, he had learned not to underestimate Disney's grasp of symbolism. The Little Mermaid was a spellbinding tapestry of spiritual symbols so specifically goddess-related that they could not be coincidence. When Langdon had first seen The Little Mermaid, he had actually gasped aloud when he noticed that the painting in Ariel's underwater home was none other than seventeenth-century artist Georges de la Tour's The Penitent Magdalene – a famous homage to the banished Mary Magdalene – fitting decor considering the movie turned out to be a ninety-minute collage of blatant symbolic references to the lost sanctity of Isis, Eve, Pisces the fish goddess, and, repeatedly, Mary Magdalene. The Little Mermaid's name, Ariel, possessed powerful ties to the sacred feminine and, in the Book of Isaiah, was synonymous with† the Holy City besieged.† Of course, the Little Mermaid's flowing red hair was certainly no coincidence either. The clicking of Teabing's crutches approached in the hallway, his pace unusually brisk. When their host entered the study, his expression was stern. â€Å"You'd better explain yourself, Robert,† he said coldly. â€Å"You have not been honest with me.† CHAPTER 62 â€Å"I'm being framed, Leigh,† Langdon said, trying to stay calm. You know me.I wouldn't kill anyone. Teabing's tone did not soften. â€Å"Robert, you're on television, for Christ's sake. Did you know you were wanted by the authorities?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Then you abused my trust. I'm astonished you would put me at risk by coming here and asking me to ramble on about the Grail so you could hide out in my home.† â€Å"I didn't kill anyone.† â€Å"Jacques Sauniere is dead, and the police say you did it.† Teabing looked saddened. â€Å"Such a contributor to the arts†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Sir?† The manservant had appeared now, standing behind Teabing in the study doorway, his arms crossed. â€Å"Shall I show them out?† â€Å"Allow me.† Teabing hobbled across the study, unlocked a set of wide glass doors, and swung them open onto a side lawn. â€Å"Please find your car, and leave.† Sophie did not move. â€Å"We have information about the clef de voute.The Priory keystone.† Teabing stared at her for several seconds and scoffed derisively. â€Å"A desperate ploy. Robert knows how I've sought it.† â€Å"She's telling the truth,† Langdon said. â€Å"That's why we came to you tonight. To talk to you about the keystone.† The manservant intervened now. â€Å"Leave, or I shall call the authorities.† â€Å"Leigh,† Langdon whispered,† we know where it is.† Teabing's balance seemed to falter a bit. Remy now marched stiffly across the room. â€Å"Leave at once! Or I will forcibly – â€Å"Remy!† Teabing spun, snapping at his servant. â€Å"Excuse us for a moment.† The servant's jaw dropped. â€Å"Sir? I must protest. These people are – â€Å"I'll handle this.† Teabing pointed to the hallway. After a moment of stunned silence, Remy skulked out like a banished dog. In the cool night breeze coming through the open doors, Teabing turned back to Sophie and Langdon, his expression still wary. â€Å"This better be good. What do you know of the keystone?† In the thick brush outside Teabing's study, Silas clutched his pistol and gazed through the glass doors. Only moments ago, he had circled the house and seen Langdon and the woman talking in the large study. Before he could move in, a man on crutches entered, yelled at Langdon, threw open the doors, and demanded his guests leave. Then the woman mentioned the keystone, and everything changed.Shouts turned to whispers. Moods softened. And the glass doors were quickly closed. Now, as he huddled in the shadows, Silas peered through the glass. The keystone is somewhere inside the house.Silas could feel it. Staying in the shadows, he inched closer to the glass, eager to hear what was being said. He would give them five minutes. If they did not reveal where they had placed the keystone, Silas would have to enter and persuade them with force. Inside the study, Langdon could sense their host's bewilderment. â€Å"Grand Master?† Teabing choked, eyeing Sophie. â€Å"Jacques Sauniere?† Sophie nodded, seeing the shock in his eyes.† But you could not possibly know that!† â€Å"Jacques Sauniere was my grandfather.† Teabing staggered back on his crutches, shooting a glance at Langdon, who nodded. Teabing turned back to Sophie. â€Å"Miss Neveu, I am speechless. If this is true, then I am truly sorry for your loss. I should admit, for my research, I have kept lists of men in Paris whom I thought might be good candidates for involvement in the Priory. Jacques Sauniere was on that list along with many others. But Grand Master, you say? It's hard to fathom.† Teabing was silent a moment and then shook his head. â€Å"But it still makes no sense. Even if your grandfather were the Priory Grand Master and created the keystone himself, he would never tell you how to find it. The keystone reveals the pathway to the brotherhood's ultimate treasure. Granddaughter o r not, you are not eligible to receive such knowledge.† â€Å"Mr. Sauniere was dying when he passed on the information,† Langdon said. â€Å"He had limited options.† â€Å"He didn't need options,† Teabing argued. â€Å"There exist three senechaux who also know the secret. That is the beauty of their system. One will rise to Grand Master and they will induct a new senechal and share the secret of the keystone.† â€Å"I guess you didn't see the entire news broadcast,† Sophie said. â€Å"In addition to my grandfather, three other prominent Parisians were murdered today. All in similar ways. All looked like they had been interrogated.† Teabing's jaw fell. â€Å"And you think they were†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"The senechaux,†Langdon said.† But how? A murderer could not possibly learn the identities of all four top members of the Priory of Sion! Look at me, I have been researching them for decades, and I can't even name one Priory member. It seems inconceivable that all three senechaux and the Grand Master could be discovered and killed in one day.† â€Å"I doubt the information was gathered in a single day,† Sophie said. â€Å"It sounds like a well-planned decapiter.It's a technique we use to fight organized crime syndicates. If DCPJ wants to move on a certain group, they will silently listen and watch for months, identify all the main players, and then move in and take them all at the same moment. Decapitation. With no leadership, the group falls into chaos and divulges other information. It's possible someone patiently watched the Priory and then attacked, hoping the top people would reveal the location of the keystone.† Teabing looked unconvinced. â€Å"But the brothers would never talk. They are sworn to secrecy. Even in the face of death.† â€Å"Exactly,† Langdon said. â€Å"Meaning, if they never divulged the secret, and they were killed†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Teabing gasped. â€Å"Then the location of the keystone would be lost forever!† â€Å"And with it,† Langdon said,† the location of the Holy Grail.† Teabing's body seemed to sway with the weight of Langdon's words. Then, as if too tired to stand another moment, he flopped in a chair and stared out the window. Sophie walked over, her voice soft. â€Å"Considering my grandfather's predicament, it seems possible that in total desperation he tried to pass the secret on to someone outside the brotherhood. Someone he thought he could trust. Someone in his family.† Teabing was pale. â€Å"But someone capable of such an attack†¦ of discovering so much about the brotherhood†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused, radiating a new fear. â€Å"It could only be one force. This kind of infiltration could only have come from the Priory's oldest enemy.† Langdon glanced up. â€Å"The Church.† â€Å"Who else? Rome has been seeking the Grail for centuries.† Sophie was skeptical. â€Å"You think the Church killed my grandfather?† Teabing replied,† It would not be the first time in history the Church has killed to protect itself. The documents that accompany the Holy Grail are explosive, and the Church has wanted to destroy them for years.† Langdon was having trouble buying Teabing's premise that the Church would blatantly murder people to obtain these documents. Having met the new Pope and many of the cardinals, Langdon knew they were deeply spiritual men who would never condone assassination. Regardless of the stakes. Sophie seemed to be having similar thoughts. â€Å"Isn't it possible that these Priory members were murdered by someone outside the Church? Someone who didn't understand what the Grail really is? The Cup of Christ, after all, would be quite an enticing treasure. Certainly treasure hunters have killed for less.† â€Å"In my experience,† Teabing said,† men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire. I sense a desperation in this assault on the Priory.† â€Å"Leigh,† Langdon said,† the argument is paradoxical. Why would members of the Catholic clergy murder Priory members in an effort to find and destroy documents they believe are false testimony anyway?† Teabing chuckled. â€Å"The ivory towers of Harvard have made you soft, Robert. Yes, the clergy in Rome are blessed with potent faith, and because of this, their beliefs can weather any storm, including documents that contradict everything they hold dear. But what about the rest of the world? What about those who are not blessed with absolute certainty? What about those who look at the cruelty in the world and say, where is God today? Those who look at Church scandals and ask, who are these men who claim to speak the truth about Christ and yet lie to cover up the sexual abuse of children by their own priests?† Teabing paused. â€Å"What happens to those people, Robert, if persuasive scientific evidence comes out that the Church's version of the Christ story is inaccurate, and that the greatest story ever told is, in fact, the greatest story ever sold† Langdon did not respond. â€Å"I'll tell you what happens if the documents get out,† Teabing said. â€Å"The Vatican faces a crisis of faith unprecedented in its two-millennia history.† After a long silence, Sophie said,† But if it is the Church who is responsible for this attack, why would they act now? After all these years? The Priory keeps the Sangreal documents hidden. They pose no immediate threat to the Church.† Teabing heaved an ominous sigh and glanced at Langdon. â€Å"Robert, I assume you are familiar with the Priory's final charge?† Langdon felt his breath catch at the thought. â€Å"I am.† â€Å"Miss Neveu,† Teabing said,† the Church and the Priory have had a tacit understanding for years. That is, the Church does not attack the Priory, and the Priory keeps the Sangreal documents hidden.† He paused. â€Å"However, part of the Priory history has always included a plan to unveil the secret. With the arrival of a specific date in history, the brotherhood plans to break the silence and carry out its ultimate triumph by unveiling the Sangreal documents to the world and shouting the true story of Jesus Christ from the mountaintops.† Sophie stared at Teabing in silence. Finally, she too sat down. â€Å"And you think that date is approaching? And the Church knows it?† â€Å"A speculation,† Teabing said,† but it would certainly provide the Church motivation for an all-out attack to find the documents before it was too late.† Langdon had the uneasy feeling that Teabing was making good sense. â€Å"Do you think the Church would actually be capable of uncovering hard evidence of the Priory's date?† â€Å"Why not – if we're assuming the Church was able to uncover the identities of the Priory members, then certainly they could have learned of their plans. And even if they don't have the exact date, their superstitions may be getting the best of them.† â€Å"Superstitions?† Sophie asked.† In terms of prophecy,† Teabing said,† we are currently in an epoch of enormous change. The millennium has recently passed, and with it has ended the two-thousand-year-long astrological Age of Pisces – the fish, which is also the sign of Jesus. As any astrological symbologist will tell you, the Piscean ideal believes that man must be told what to do by higher powers because man is incapable of thinking for himself. Hence it has been a time of fervent religion. Now, however, we are entering the Age of Aquarius – the water bearer – whose ideals claim that man will learn the truth and be able to think for himself. The ideological shift is en ormous, and it is occurring right now.† Langdon felt a shiver. Astrological prophecy never held much interest or credibility for him, but he knew there were those in the Church who followed it very closely. â€Å"The Church calls this transitional period the End of Days.† Sophie looked skeptical. â€Å"As in the end of the world? The Apocalypse?† â€Å"No.† Langdon replied. â€Å"That's a common misconception. Many religions speak of the End of Days. It refers not to the end of the world, but rather the end of our current age – Pisces, which began at the time of Christ's birth, spanned two thousand years, and waned with the passing of the millennium. Now that we've passed into the Age of Aquarius, the End of Days has arrived.† â€Å"Many Grail historians,† Teabing added,† believe that if the Priory is indeed planning to release this truth, this point in history would be a symbolically apt time. Most Priory academics, myself included, anticipated the brotherhood's release would coincide precisely with the millennium. Obviously, it did not. Admittedly, the Roman calendar does not mesh perfectly with astrological markers, so there is some gray area in the prediction. Whether the Church now has inside information that an exact date is looming, or whether they are just getting nervous on account of astrological prophecy, I don't know. Anyway, it's immaterial. Either scenario explains how the Church might be motivated to launch a preemptive attack against the Priory.† Teabing frowned. â€Å"And believe me, if the Church finds the Holy Grail, they will destroy it. The documents and the relics of the blessed Mary Magdalene as well.† His eyes grew heavy. â€Å"Then, my dear, with the Sang real documents gone, all evidence will be lost. The Church will have won their age-old war to rewrite history. The past will be erased forever.† Slowly, Sophie pulled the cruciform key from her sweater pocket and held it out to Teabing. Teabing took the key and studied it. â€Å"My goodness. The Priory seal. Where did you get this?† â€Å"My grandfather gave it to me tonight before he died.† Teabing ran his fingers across the cruciform. â€Å"A key to a church?† She drew a deep breath. â€Å"This key provides access to the keystone.† Teabing's head snapped up, his face wild with disbelief. â€Å"Impossible! What church did I miss? I've searched every church in France!† â€Å"It's not in a church,† Sophie said. â€Å"It's in a Swiss depository bank.† Teabing's look of excitement waned. â€Å"The keystone is in a bank?† â€Å"A vault,† Langdon offered. â€Å"A bank vault?† Teabing shook his head violently. â€Å"That's impossible. The keystone is supposed to be hidden beneath the sign of the Rose.† â€Å"It is,† Langdon said. â€Å"It was stored in a rosewood box inlaid with a five-petal Rose.† Teabing looked thunderstruck. â€Å"You've seen the keystone?† Sophie nodded. â€Å"We visited the bank.† Teabing came over to them, his eyes wild with fear. â€Å"My friends, we must do something. The keystone is in danger! We have a duty to protect it. What if there are other keys? Perhaps stolen from the murdered senechaux? If the Church can gain access to the bank as you have – â€Å" â€Å"Then they will be too late,† Sophie said. â€Å"We removed the keystone.† â€Å"What! You removed the keystone from its hiding place?† â€Å"Don't worry,† Langdon said. â€Å"The keystone is well hidden.† â€Å"Extremely well hidden, I hope!† â€Å"Actually,† Langdon said, unable to hide his grin,† that depends on how often you dust under your couch.† The wind outside Chateau Villette had picked up, and Silas's robe danced in the breeze as he crouched near the window. Although he had been unable to hear much of the conversation, the word keystone had sifted through the glass on numerous occasions. It is inside. The Teacher's words were fresh in his mind. Enter Chateau Villette. Take the keystone. Hun no one. Now, Langdon and the others had adjourned suddenly to another room, extinguishing the study lights as they went. Feeling like a panther stalking prey, Silas crept to the glass doors. Finding them unlocked, he slipped inside and closed the doors silently behind him. He could hear muffled voices from another room. Silas pulled the pistol from his pocket, turned off the safety, and inched down the hallway.