Scrub the potatoes clean with a vegetable scrubbing brush and cool water, then cut them into wedges. You do not need to peel them, as the skins are part of their appeal. Stir the butter until it melts. Have the potatoes ready. You will be frying them first; this will help give them a crispier texture as well as cut down on the baking time. Add the potatoes and toss them until they are covered in the oil and butter mixture. Cook them for 10 minutes, tossing them from time to time. Don't worry if they still look raw by the time you are done. Add the salt and pepper straight to the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid, then shake it a few times to toss the potatoes inside. Don't clump or pile the potatoes. If the baking sheet is too small, it would be better to set the extra potatoes aside and bake them in a separate batch. Put the baking sheet with the potatoes into the oven and bake them for 10 minutes. Flip the potatoes over using a spatula, then bake them for another 10 minutes. The steak fries are ready when they are golden brown and crispy. They go great with steak as well as other dishes, including hamburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Summary: Preheat your oven to 400F (205C). Clean the potatoes and cut them into -inch (1.27 centimeters) thick wedges. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the butter. Toss in the potatoes, then fry them for 10 minutes. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper. Spread the potatoes onto a large, ungreased baking sheet in an even layer. Bake the potatoes for 20 minutes, turning them halfway through. Serve the steak fries immediately.

Criticism should be about the situation and not your personal feelings about your coworker or the person's character. If you are dealing with a coworker that you are not too fond of, think of how you would address the situation with a different coworker. Using a passive voice instead of an active voice can help you focus on the situation instead of the person as well. For example, you would say, "The project had a lot of typos and errors. It seems like it was completed in a rush," instead of "You are unorganized and careless." Avoid starting any criticism with "You did/didn't" or "You are." In this method, you place the criticism in between positive feedback. This will help your coworker be more receptive to the criticism. This is also called the Positive-Improvement-Positive (PIP) method. Start with a strength. If you are discussing a specific piece of work, talk about what was good about the work. Discuss the things that you did not like and the areas that need improvement. End the conversation by reiterating the strengths you mentioned and the positive outcomes that will happen if your coworker makes the suggested changes. You may say, "The paper had clear writing and a lot of good content, but it could benefit from some reorganization. If you make the organizational changes, the paper will be even stronger. You will turn a good paper into a great paper." A specific concern is much easier to address than a general statement. Being specific also forces you to focus on the issue at hand and not bring up complaints that you have been thinking about for a long time. General statements may also make your colleague feel that you are nitpicking without reason. For example, if your coworker is always late, talk to your coworker about a specific time they were late instead of simply saying, "You're always late." You may say, "I noticed that you were late to our team meeting this morning, is everything okay?" A specific example of a problem will also prevent your coworker from denying the behavior that you are criticizing. Try to be as polite and friendly as possible. Even if what you are saying is true, the wrong tone can make the conversation go badly. Avoid being sarcastic, condescending, angry, or aggressive. Remain calm when discussing your issues with your colleague. The last thing you want is to have a heated discussion that will more likely make you both defensive. Angry discussions will close all avenues of future dialogue and make the work place a negative environment. Instead of sarcastically criticizing a presentation by saying, "Isn't it terrible when someone can't speak clearly and get their point across?" You may say, "I get nervous when I have to present and mumble sometimes. Does this ever happen to you?" The wrong tone will cause the colleague to become defensive and resentful, and the outcome of your discussion will be negative. If you are experiencing some negative emotions, smile before you have the conversation. It is easier to be positive when you smile. This way your colleague will see that you are trying to help and that you are not just on a rampage to tear their work apart. Additionally, your coworker will recognize that your interests are in making sure that he succeeds also and that you are all working together for a positive outcome. You can also say, "Everyone makes mistake," or "I understand the choice you made." Even if you have not made the same mistake, this will keep your coworker from feeling as upset and becoming unmotivated. Your coworker needs to know that you understand them and are on their side. You may say, "I completely understand why you turned in that assignment late. I get overwhelmed at times and it's hard to prioritize. Next time let me know that you're super busy. We can figure something out together." Listen to your coworker's explanation and point of view. Also ask your coworker what they could have done differently and what do they need to correct their work in the future. This turns criticism into a collaborative project. Your coworker may also be more receptive to the criticism if they are included in the problem solving process. Be open to any feedback that your coworker provides. You may learn something.

Summary: Focus on the task. Use the sandwich method. Be specific about your concerns. Watch your tone. Offer suggestions on how to improve your colleague's work. Allow your coworker to speak.

Add up all the numbers and divide by the population size: Mean () = X/N, where is the summation (addition) sign, xi is each individual number, and N is the population size. In the case above, the mean is simply (12+55+74+79+90)/5 = 62.

Summary: Calculate the mean.

If you find yourself in a place that has a lot of smokers, try to find areas where there is less smoke. Many public places have designated smoke-free areas, so you should seek these out. Sometimes people smoke in places they shouldn't, like restaurants or bars where smoking has been banned. In these cases, it's appropriate to ask an authority figure -- a restaurant manager or police officer, for instance -- to tell the smoker to stop. If you cannot get away from smokers, try to place yourself upwind of them. This will not completely protect you from secondhand smoke, but it can help you to breathe in less than you would if the wind were blowing the smoke towards you. When walking past smokers in public spaces, try to move past them as quickly as you can. This will help limit your exposure to secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke is harmful to people's immune systems. If you're around smokers and cannot get away, do your best to stay hydrated. Keeping hydrated will help your immune system to stay active in spite of the smoke. If you know you're going to be in a smoky environment for a while, bring a water bottle with you. You should do your best to get plenty of vitamin C if you're around smokers. Like staying hydrated, vitamin C helps promote a healthy immune system. You can get vitamin C from foods like oranges and strawberries or from vitamin supplement pills, which you can usually find in any drug or grocery store.
Summary: Find smoke-free areas. Report smokers in appropriate situations. Stand upwind of smokers. Walk past smokers quickly. Stay hydrated. Get plenty of vitamin C.