Abstract
This paper examines the statement that gross domestic product (GDP) provides neither an accurate nor an in-depth understanding of a nation's economic status and its population's living standards. It discusses Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Equatorial Guinea compared to the US, UK and France as cases in point that calculating development in terms of per capita GDP leads to a distorted view of the developmental status of nations and their populations.

From the Paper
"Even though GDP and GDP per capita fail to provide an accurate picture of a country's economic and developmental status and most certainly do not reflect the standards of living enjoyed by populations in question, the measurement has its uses. It may not accurately calculate standards of living and economic well-being but it is an indicator of the size of an economy (Ezcurra, 2007). Through the calculation of the monetary value of the goods and services which are produced within the economy and the financial exchanges which occur therein, the measure quite accurately conveys the size of the economy and by calculating the said size in relation to per capita income, it functions as an indicator of whether or not the economy has the capacity to sustain and maintain its population or not (Ezcurra, 2007). Therefore, even while conceding to its limitations and shortcomings, it is important to clarify that the measure has value and significance."

Tags:value statistics growth, quality of life

Abstract
This essay analyzes the inspiration and creation of the calculator. It also discusses the positives and negatives of calculator use, emphasizing its use in classrooms. It also discusses how this invention has impacted society.

From the Paper
"Blaise Pascal received credit for inventing the first digital calculator in 1642. After Pascal observed the tedious processes his father underwent in order to complete his taxes, he was determined to invent a helpful tool. Pascal invented the Pascaline, which was a numerical wheel calculator that consisted of eight movable dials that added up to eight figured long sums and used base ten. When the first dial (one's column) moved ten notches " the second dial moved one notch to represent the ten's column reading of 10 " and when the ten dial moved ten notches the third dial (hundred's column) moved one notch to represent one hundred, and so on. As technology progressed so did the calculating devices. The first electronic desktop calculator was invented in 1961 and the first handheld calculator was introduced to the world April of 1970. Ever since its creation, the calculator has significantly perpetuated our dependence on technology as well as alter our everyday lives on unimaginable levels."

Tags:blaise, pascal, technology

Abstract
Focusing on public school age children, this paper argues that basic numeracy must be first taught before calculators are used in these schools. Subsequently, the introduction of calculators is essential for practical reasons of productivity and also, surprisingly, because they facilitate abstract conceptualization of mathematics.

Abstract
The paper addresses the question of whether the world's energy resources are becoming scarce with the impending increase of the human population. This paper analyzes the current energy resource uses, provides calculations of energy output and compares them with each other. A background of the various energy resources is given as well as an introduction to Nuclear Energy. Fission/Fusion technology is also brought up throughout the paper. An explanation of the Fission/Fusion theory is provided on how this renewable resource works.

From the Paper
"With man's leap into technological advances, one would think that the boundaries are endless. The human race has allowed to progress for over hundreds of thousands of years. Especially in the late centuries of history, mankind has excelled immensely in achieving technological success. From the discovery of electricity, to the creation of the internal combustion engine, modern society has come to a time where ceaseless change exists in everyone's lifetime. Everyday man takes another step into the ladder of intellectual evolution. These advances still cannot guarantee happiness among society. For all of these things are dependent on one thing, energy. Energy is needed to maintain life in all things, from the plants of the Amazon forest, to the fuel burning inside of a Toyota Camry. Without it, all living things would cease to exist, including the humans who created this ever growing technology. One might speculate that with the extreme rate at which the population is increasing, all the resources on earth would become scarce. But an energy crisis is hardly anything for a person to worry about, for humanity has taken a step into the discovery of nuclear power."

Tags:astronomy, environment, physics, technology

Abstract
This paper examines a method for estimating targeted capital structure using data extracted from a firm's financial statements. The weighted cost of capital (WACC) with its components: debt, common and preferred stock are calculated. The cost of retained earnings is calculated and explained. Issues regarding the computation of net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) are explored in relation to capital budget questions. Additional issues management should evaluate when considering capital expenditures are discussed.

From the Paper
"For most firms the "average cost of capital" is the combined cost of capital raised from the sources that the firm uses (Brigham & Ehrhardt, 2002a, p. 421). Each capital component will have its own minimum rate of return, expected by the investors, who provide that form of capital (p. 421). This combined capital cost is termed the "weighted average cost of capital" or WACC (p. 421). Typically capital is obtained from the components of debt (preferred and common) and stock (p. 420)."

Tags:debt, investor, irr, stock, cash, flow

Abstract
This paper considers the calculation in Poe's art, both in his poetry and in his fiction. The paper examines the calculation in terms of rationalism being imposed on Romantic literature and looks at how Poe takes the Gothic genre, which is characterized by feeling, and aspires towards a calculated effect instead. The paper relates that by doing this, Poe reinvents the genre and makes it much more powerful. The poem "The Raven", and the short stories "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Tell-Tale Heart", are examined in order to illustrate the paper's point.

From the Paper
"He made the greatest impact on literature, both in America and abroad, through his short stories. If the novel was the key invention of the 18th century, then the key literary invention of the 19th century was the short story, and it was Poe who finally perfected the medium. According to Poe's definition, the short story is a piece of fiction entirely calculated for the effect on the reader at the denouement. Before this point nobody had written short fiction under such strict measures, and in the process of composing his short stories Poe was laying down the outlines for the genre that were to become the norm. The principal guideline that Poe stressed was the "unity of effect or impression" (Essays, 571). The Fall of the House of Usher is a perfect example. Poe was impatient with the use of metaphor in literature, but he cannot avoid it, because the fall which the story describes is a metaphorical fall of the Usher dynasty. "

Tags:Gothic, Romanticism, raven, fall, house, usher, tell-tale, heart

Abstract
This paper addresses the concept and determinants of present value and the discount factors that affect businesses. The paper presents a two-part case study. Part I addresses a series of discount rate calculation issues. Part II then discusses the writer's analysis of two companies to determine which company would have the lowest discount rates based upon several determinants outlined in the study material.

Table of Contents:
Part I
Part II

From the Paper
"Sirius has a massive cost structure - 2006 cash operating expenses (not including depreciation and non-cash compensation) were $414 million. The management's effectiveness was terrible with a negative 20 percent return on assets. The company's Q4 and full year 2006 financial results are mind-blowing. The year-over-year quarterly revenue growths were 141 percent however the net income was a negative $1.1B. Over the past 12 months, the stock price for Sirius Satellite Inc. had a significant change of minus 35 percent. Thus the volatility of the stock is large with a negative change over the past 52 months. Although Sirius Satellite Inc works in a more dynamic industry where the risks are higher, the growth expectations are expected to be higher next year. With Mercedes expediting installation of radios in a high percentage of their cars and the projected merger with XM Radio Inc., the future for Sirius looks better. One of the major risks of management effectiveness has been haunting Sirius for many years. This risk needs serious attention and mitigation steps are required to heal this wound."

Tags:depreciation, assets, volatility

Abstract
The paper discusses how contemporary management must employ ever more accurate means in order to identify the strongest investment strategies for companies or, alternatively, for managers and investors to determine a sound investment target. The paper explains that when a company is faced with several investment opportunities or a manager must make an investment decision where the cost of a company's becomes an important consideration, he or she must employ one or more analytical devices to ascertain the most appropriate method (Van Horne & Wachowicz). The paper describes how there are numerous analytical devices that can assist managers with making such investment decisions such as employing a weighted average method similar to the Weighted Average Cost of Capital or WACC tool or, alternatively, a technique known as the Time Value of Money or TVM method as well as identifying the relevant opportunity costs.

From the Paper
"Contemporary management must employ ever more accurate means in order to identify the strongest investment strategies for companies or, alternatively, for managers and investors to determine a sound investment target. When a company is faced with several investment opportunities or a manager must make an investment decision where the cost of a company's becomes an important consideration, he or she must employ one or more analytical devices to ascertain the most appropriate method (Van Horne & Wachowicz). There are numerous analytical devices that can assist managers..."

Tags:calculating, cost, equity

From the Paper
"The process through which astrologers cast charts seems to be a mysterious one - at least to the lay public. The arcane knowledge and the mathematical calculations required to construct a horoscope have made astrology the field of the professional rather than the amateur.
However, the time has come to divulge a trade secret of astrology: While there is certainly a body of knowledge required to create a horoscope - and both intuition and intelligence are certainly called for - the mathematical abilities required to construct a horoscope are in fact relatively minimal. The relative simplicity of the technical skills involved in creating a horoscope, and the benefits of personal, hand mathematical calculations over computer-derived ones have become increasingly important as an issue as more and more computer programs are developed.."

Tags:PARAPSYCHOLOGY, OCCULT

Abstract
The paper discusses a medical error concerning a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. The paper describes how the events unfolded: the doctor sent her to a surgeon who had no experience regarding cancer. The surgeon told the patient that the patient would be cured which was probably a mistake by the surgeon. Then they discovered another lump and realized that preventive measures for stopping the progress of the disease should have been applied earlier. The cause of the problems was that an expert was not consulted in the beginning. The paper concludes that it is not a crime to commit an error. Better education is the only possible solution.

From the Paper
"The first question was of detection of the cancer and this occurred when the doctor found a lump in the breast of the patient. The doctor was correct at this stage to suggest a biopsy to determine whether the patient had cancer. It was determined that the patient was suffering from cancer. Then there were subsequent problems in the treatment of the patient due to the lack of proper suggestions from the doctor who sent her to a surgeon who had no experience regarding cancer. The correct procedure should have been to go to a cancer treatment center where they would have been able to suggest the correct treatment. This was the first mistake and it may have been due to the inexperience and fright of the patient, but at the same time, she was determined not to have a mastectomy which was probably the right procedure for her. The concerned doctor then called in a surgeon who performed a subcutaneous mastectomy where the outside tissue is not removed, but the breast tissue is removed. The surgeon had told the patient that that the patient would be cured. This is probably a mistake by the surgeon."

Tags:mistake, breast, lump, biopsy, surgeon