Magic

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In case there are people who never watch a magic show before...

Enjoy the weekends!

Cheers,

Shi-Jie

Funny Ad

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Cheers,

Shi-Jie

New Song!

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Hey everyone,

In view of the current trends in our class, I added a new song to the mixpod playlist.
Song Info: "Confessions of a Friend" by Korean Ballad group "2AM"

Translated lyrics (Syllable to Syllable translation):

However,
Baby, come to me by my side
and be my lady.
I have waited far too hard.
Stood at the door, saying words no more.
Trying hard to hide my pitiful heart.

As a friend, just to remain as friends,
I had to keep low.
Locking feelings that I hold.
The confessions, can't hide anymore.
However it is now I will confess,
Nawrir saranghae (I love you) ...

I shall dedicate this song to everyone going overseas this term, and to anyone who feels for the song.

Will translate and upload the entire song if response is good and time permits XD

힘내!
Jin Jian

FONTS

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Hi 10S7F!!

here are some articles about fonts which you may like to read :)

provides some tips to make your WR look nicer. hehe

30 Best Fonts to last a lifetime
http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/03/02/30-best-font-downloads-for-designers/

The Cracked Guide to Fonts
http://www.cracked.com/funny-5647-fonts/

Articles from cracked.com are very enjoyable to read, if you don't mind the occasional use of vulgar language xD

Have fun!!
Bo Jun

Happy Cornetto-Crunch-Ben&Jerrys-Magnum Day!

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Dear 10S7F,

Thanks for the sweet surprise yesterday! I like the card very much though I would have loved to hear more from you all. Maybe a minimum of 500 words each, next time?! Haha. May the melty-sweet flavour of friendship be always with you all.

Cheers,
Mr. Tan

Printers

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Wasted 20+ pieces of paper to print EoM... Emotions can be summarised in this comic:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/printers

Lesson learnt, do not do last minute printing XD

Anyway I have changed the theme to accommodate larger image. Hope you like it!

Cheers,

Shi-Jie

Perhaps some tips on Economics essay?

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I was chatting online with the a senior for some tips. He threw me this essay question:

"In 2007, the Singapore economy grew at 7.8%, goods and services tax went up from 5% to 7%, and there were active campaigns on healthy living.

Assess the likely effects of the above changes on consumers' expenditure on fast food."

Take 5 minutes to plan for an outline. In fact, I suggest MORE than 5 minutes... This was the killer question for last year's promos.

Ready to see the answer?

My initial response was:

talk about demand and supply factor

economic growth -> increased income

positive income elasticity -> increased demand

increased in service tax -> decreased supply

large extent as supply very price inelastic, tax incidence

active campaigns -> change in taste of preference

decrease demand

conclusion: demand shift less than supply, quantity demanded drops

_________________

Looks like a two page, chop chop essay. How wrong was I.

This senior took 1 hour and 15 minutes to write a 4 page essay on this question. He scored 20/25.

The key lies in the word EXPENDITURE. EXPENDITURE not QUANTITY DEMANDED or mere CHANGE IN PRICE.

Expenditure is price times quantity. You are supposed to look at the area under the graph. The emphasis is on the elasticity.

His other remarkable points:

Talk about different price elasticities for different income groups

Campaigns introduces substitutes such as organic food

Fast food restaurants also coming up with healthy packages

Ad Valorem tax leads to a PIVOTAL shift, hence making supply more price inelastic

etc etc...

Of course, unless you are as god-like as him, it is unwise to burn 1 hour and 15 minutes for an essay. Hope that I post this in time for you guys to warm up (err not fry) your brains.

Moral of the story: Open your eyes BIG BIG tomorrow

Cheers,

Khor Shi-Jie

Last Minute Mugging...

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Trouble keeping your eyes away from facebook, world cup, etc.? Try using this nifty application:

Focus Booster: The Pomodoro Technique

Err... well alternatively you can use a stop watch too XD

Cheers,

Khor Shi-Jie

If you hate integration like I do...

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I guess everyone is busy mugging for blocks (and hence the hiatus of the blog ><). But anyway, let me share a shortcut with you guys...

The killer topic for Math block test is definitely INTEGRATION, and we know it sucks for many reason. The most tormenting part, IMO, must be integration by parts. Personally I hate writing long long expressions, moving bulks of expressions here and there, then end up in a zzz careless mistake.

Let me introduce a shortcut which is super useful and easy :) This technique is known as tabular integration by parts.

Suppose you want to solve $\int x^3 \cos x \, dx.\!$ Not an easy task, if you have tried it in your tutorials. In this technique, we still apply LIATE and let u be x^3 and v' be cos x. Now create a table and write:

Derivatives of u (Column A)	Integrals of v (Column B)
$x^3 \,$	$\cos x \,$
$3x^2 \,$	$\sin x \,$
$6x \,$	$-\cos x \,$
$6 \,$	$-\sin x \,$
$0 \,$	$\cos x \,$

Such that column A represents the subsequent derivative of u and column B represents the subsequent integrals of v. Repeat this until you can no longer continue, for instance when u arrive at 0. Now, the answer is simply:

$(+)(x^3)(\sin x) + (-)(3x^2)(-\cos x) + (+)(6x)(-\sin x) + (-)(6)(\cos x) + C \,.$

Which is arrived by pairing the 1st term in A with the 2nd term in B , the 2nd term in A with the 3rd term in B, the 3rd term in A with 4th term in B, etc. Take note of the ALTERNATING sign in front of each terms too.

Another example:

$\int e^x \cos x \,dx.$

Derivatives of u (Column A)	Integrals of v (Column B)
$e^x \,$	$\cos x \,$
$e^x \,$	$\sin x \,$
$e^x \,$	$-\cos x \,$

Then,

$\int e^x \cos x \,dx = e^x\sin x + e^x\cos x - \int e^x \cos x \,dx,$

Which can be solved easily to yield:

$\int e^x \cos x \,dx = {e^x ( \sin x + \cos x ) \over 2} + C\!$

Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integration_by_parts#Tabular_integration_by_parts for more information. My senior used this and saved a lot of time. However, do show your full working still (I can't guarantee that your tutors will accept such cheapskate method). Use it wisely and pwn the block test :P

Cheers,

Khor Shi-Jie