INPUT ARTICLE: Article: the bar or break it into pieces. If the bar of chocolate is too thick to snap into pieces with your hands, put it on a cutting board. Chop the chocolate into pieces that are less than 1 inch (2.5cm) in size. Ensure that your hands, cutting board, and knife are completely dry. If water gets into the chocolate, it will seize and become grainy when you melt it. Try to use a wide bowl so the chocolate melts evenly and quickly. If the bowl is too small, the heat from the top won't be able to reach the chocolate at the bottom. The bowl should also be dry so the chocolate doesn't seize.

SUMMARY: Chop Put the chocolate into a heat-proof bowl.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Find wheels and dowels that are the same size. The smaller toy wheels about 114in (3.2cm) in diameter with a 14in (0.64cm) hole are the best to get. Then, get some 14in (0.64cm)-thick dowels that will fit snugly in those holes. These wooden components are available online and at some craft supply stores. The wheels usually come in bags of 100 or 300. If you get larger wheels, get larger dowels as well so your tops are well-balanced. Select one of the toy wheels and push the pointed end of the rod through it. Let the wheel rest about of the way up the rod. Make sure the pointed end sticks out slightly so your top spins properly. Then, repeat this with any other rod pieces and wheels you have to assemble more tops. If the rod is too tight to fit in the hole, get a piece of super fine, 400 to 600 grit sandpaper. Applying light pressure, rub down the sides of the rod until the wheel fits snugly over it.

SUMMARY: Purchase some wooden wheels and dowels. Insert the rod into the wooden wheel.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that can contain numbers and/or variables. It does not contain an equals sign and cannot be solved. An algebraic equation, however, can be solved, and does include a series of algebraic expressions separated by an equals sign. Here are some examples: Algebraic expression: 4x + 2 Algebraic equation: 4x + 2 = 100 Combining like terms just means adding up (or subtracting) the terms of the same degree. This means that all x2 terms can be combined with other x2 terms, that all x3 terms can be combined with x3 terms, and that all constants, numbers that are not attached to variables, such as 8 or 5, can be added up, or combined, as well. Here's an example: 3x2 + 5 + 4x3 - x2 + 2x3 + 9 = 3x2 - x2 + 4x3 + 2x3 + 5 + 9 = 2x2 + 6x3 + 14 If you're working with an algebraic equation, which means there is an expression on either side of an equals sign, then you can simplify it by factoring out a common term. Look at the coefficients of all of the terms (the numbers before the variables, or the constants) and see if there is a number that you can "factor out" by dividing each term by that number. If you can do this, then you have simplified the equation and are on your way to solving it. Here's how: 3x + 15 = 9x + 30 You can see that each coefficient can be divisible by 3. Just "factor out" the number 3 by dividing each term by 3 to get your simplified equation. 3x/3 + 15/3 = 9x/3 + 30/3 = x + 5 = 3x + 10 The order of operations, also known by the acronym PEMDAS, explains the order in which you should perform different mathematical operations. The order is: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction. Here's an example of how the order of operations works: (3 + 5)2 x 10 + 4 First, follow P, the operation in the parentheses: = (8)2 x 10 + 4 Then, follow E, the operation of the exponent: = 64 x 10 + 4 Next, do multiplication: = 640 + 4 And last, do addition: = 644 If you're solving an algebraic equation, then your goal is to get the variable, often known as x, on one side of the equation, while placing the constant terms on the other side of the equation. You can isolate x by division, multiplication, addition, subtraction, finding the square root, or other operations. Once you've isolated x, you can solve for it. Here's how: 5x + 15 = 65 = 5x/5 + 15/5 = 65/5 = x + 3 = 13 = x = 10

SUMMARY: Understand the difference between an algebraic expression and an algebraic equation. Know how to combine like terms. Know how to factor a number. Know the order of operations. Learn how to isolate a variable.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: For the best results, wash and rinse the hair before you begin to cut it. While the hair is still wet, comb through it to release tangles and remove loose hair. Textured or tightly coiled hair should be dried and straightened before being point cut. Hold the scissors in your dominant hand and the styling comb in your non-dominant hand. Comb the hair upward away from the head. When there is about 2 inches (5 cm) of hair in the comb, pinch the hair between your forefinger and middle finger. Start at the crown of the head, then work around the head in a circle. If you hold a section of hair that is longer than 2 inches (5 cm) in your fingers, it will begin to flop over and you can't point cut it effectively. If there is less than that much, you won't be creating the desired texture. For a traditional cut, you'd hold the scissors parallel to your fingers. For a point cut, angle the scissors downward, perpendicular to your fingers. For the basic point cut, the scissors should be pointing straight down toward your fingers. The idea behind the point cut is to create texture and remove bulk, rather than removing length. This is why the scissors are held straight up and down. Begin point cutting at the nape of the neck, then work your way up to the sides. From there, move to the crown then the top of the head.

SUMMARY:
Wet the hair and comb out any tangles. Comb thin, 2 inch (5 cm) long sections of hair into your fingers. Angle the scissors straight down. Work from the bottom to the top.