The SPAN Margin system is used by major futures and options markets to determine the minimum amount of margin required to cover the risk of a one-day loss. It considers the entirety of a portfolio’s trades and allows excess margin to be transferred between positions. The system analyzes a portfolio’s variables and puts options through […]
Quantitative business analysis uses financial information and statistical models to judge a business’s strength. It can be used by investors or managers and involves assigning numerical values to criteria such as profitability and customer relationships. Financial ratios are a common tool, but inputting correct and relevant information is crucial. Context is also important, and the […]
Waldorf education, based on Rudolph Steiner’s philosophy, aims to educate the whole person through age-appropriate learning. It emphasizes non-competition, creativity, and critical thinking while providing equal instruction in arts, music, foreign languages, and academics. Waldorf graduates tend to outperform their peers on standardized tests. Prominent psychologists and sociologists have praised the Waldorf method, and famous […]
Common nouns are general and do not require capitalization, while proper nouns are specific and capitalized. Common nouns can be abstract or concrete, countable or uncountable, and can be collective or compound nouns. Capital letters help distinguish proper nouns. The common noun simply identifies a person, place, or thing in a common, general way without […]
Whistleblowers report misconduct within an organization and can be internal or external. They are protected by law in many countries, but may face stress and legal prosecution. Famous cases include Enron and Joseph Darby’s exposure of prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib. A whistleblower is a person working within an organization who reports misconduct. He or […]
An idiom uses figurative rather than literal meaning, such as “dance around the truth” meaning to avoid speaking openly or evading the truth. The only way to understand idiomatic expressions is through exposure in conversation, as literal definitions do not necessarily convey the actual meaning. Dancing around the truth implies evasion and insincerity, often due […]
FASB 157 clarified asset valuation practices for publicly traded companies in the US, requiring assets to be divided into three categories based on reliability of fair value estimates. Tier-three assets, such as mortgage-backed securities, were difficult to value and led to significant write-downs for companies. The publication was necessary to provide investors with a more […]
Catabolism is the process of breaking down complex compounds into simple ones to provide energy and building blocks for the body. It is critical to the body’s function and can be used to harness stored energy. Enzymes and hormones regulate catabolism, and waste products are carried to the kidneys for excretion. Health conditions like diabetes […]
A forward hedge is an agreement between buyers and sellers to purchase goods or assets at a fixed price on a future date, with specifications on both price and quantity. The seller must produce the desired quantity, even if they are short, and the buyer must provide full payment. The front cover is the additional […]
The “for the birds” idiom is a condensed story that conveys an idea or object is useless. The image conjured is of something thrown out like rubbish, only interesting to birds. Historically, it was military slang for anything worthless. It is popular among American seniors and young people. Most idioms contain at least elements of […]
Proofreaders are trained to find errors in written copy by comparing it to the original or reading it alone. They use reference books and style guides to ensure accuracy and can work from home. For many people, spelling, punctuation, and grammar are a source of constant irritation. How many times have you written a college […]
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are American savings accounts for healthcare expenses. They offer tax breaks, but have limitations and qualifications. The account can be opened at approved banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. A health savings account (HSA) is a savings account that helps people save for health care expenses for themselves, their spouses, and […]
Income elasticity of demand measures how changes in income affect consumer demand for goods and services. It helps companies set prices and prepare for economic downturns by monitoring consumer changes in demand and taking action to make the most of those shifts. Income elasticity of demand is a term used to describe the amount of […]
A credit ticket is a memo used in bookkeeping to document credit transactions, helping to reconcile credit and debit transactions and keep accounting records accurate. Banks use credit cards to track deposits, and businesses use credit tickets to credit payments to customer accounts. The advantage is the documentation of transaction history for review. A credit […]
Inventory valuation is important for businesses and can be done through methods such as FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average inventory. The latter creates an average cost for all goods ready to sell. Failure to properly value inventory can distort a company’s balance sheet and income statement. Weighted average inventory can smooth out the cost of […]
Radio advertising campaigns use voice and sound recordings to promote products or services on targeted radio stations. Advertisers must research listener demographics to create effective ads and measure results to modify the campaign for maximum effectiveness. A radio advertising campaign is a marketing strategy aimed at getting the word out about a particular product, service […]
The past tense refers to actions that happened in the past. The simple past is the easiest to use, while the past continuous refers to an ongoing action in the past. The perfect tense indicates an action that stopped before another action, while the past perfect continuous refers to an action that was in progress […]
Commuted value is the net present value of funds held in a pension plan, which helps fund managers allocate money and lock in interest rates to ensure adequate payments to plan members in the future. Calculating commuted value requires understanding interest rates and fixed and variable returns on investments. Commuted value is a term often […]
A workflow engine automates work processes by following a process diagram created by a process designer. It assigns tasks to employees and speeds up the process. The designer focuses on the next step, while the programmer focuses on how the steps happen. A workflow engine is a computer version of a process diagram. Since you […]
“Biting your lip” means refraining from speaking or showing emotions in a social situation. It originated from the literal act of biting one’s lip to keep quiet. It can be used to prevent harm or preserve social harmony, and is often associated with the Japanese concepts of “honne” and “tatemae.” “Biting your lip” is to […]
