PAT Tips: Day 13

Language Arts:

Build your vocabulary today and help feed those in need with Free Rice:
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Math:

Since we have been in the early grades of school, we have solved simple math problems like 3 + 5 = ___ or 3 x 5 = ___. The equal sign told us that we are to do  something or find an answer. In reality, the equal sign is telling us that the two sides are balanced or of the same value.

For example, instead of saying 3 + 5 = 8, we could say that 3 + 5 = 2 + 6. Both sides have a value of 8 so they are balanced.

Now, if we add to one side, we must add that same amount to the other side so that we keep both sides balanced, equal and having the same value. Like this:

3 + 5 = 2 + 6 (our original balanced equation)
3 + 5 + 10 = 2 + 6 + 10 (our new balanced equation with 10 added to both sides)

This is called the Preservation of Equality. This rule applies to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. If you do something to one side of the equation (known as an expression) then you must do that same thing to the other side to maintain or keep the Preservation of Equality.

Try to make balanced equations using this: http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?id=26

Science: 

Polaris is the name for the North Star. The star is very noticeable in our night sky because it is nearly directly above the North Pole (hence the name Polaris). All the other constellations (groups of stars) in our night sky seem to rotate around this star.

Constellations appear to move throughout the night because we are actually moving with the rotation of the Earth on its axis (full rotation takes about one full day).

The diagram below shows how a constellation like the Big Dipper (actually Ursa Major or "Big Bear") would look if you checked the night sky at the same time of night every 3 months. The constellation appears to rotate 90 degrees or a quarter turn every three months. This is a result of the Earth's revolution in orbit around the sun.

HINT: This type of question is almost always on the PAT every year. Be sure you understand it.

From: http://warlockasylum.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/star-dipper.gif

Social Studies:

The Lieutenant Governor is the Queen’s representative for the province. You may also see the term monarchy or monarch which means queen or king of a land. That person is recommended by the Prime Minister and then appointed by the Governor General (Queen’s representative for Canada).

The Lieutenant Governor must:

• sign any bills that are passed in the Legislative Assembly before they become law, 
• invites the leader of party that won election to become premier, 
• calls Legislature into session, 
• reads Speech from the Throne (what the government plans to do), and 
• closes the Legislature for elections.