In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: A 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water will work if you don't want to buy a specialized stretching fluid. This will greatly increase the speed of breaking it in by walking or combine with boot stretchers to make more extreme changes.  Leather stretching liquids will not work for synthetic boots. Some are specialized for patent leather or other subtypes, so read the label carefully. Check the label for special instructions. If a specific product requires a different method, follow its instructions. To avoid abrading the boot's material, dilute the rubbing alcohol with equal parts water. Lay down some black and white newspapers to catch spills and drips, or work over concrete where they won't matter. Don't use colored newspapers, as the ink can transfer onto the boots. Pick an unobtrusive spot on one of the boots, such as the back heel or the inside lip. Apply a small amount of the stretching liquid there and wait for it to dry. If it leaves a stain, try a different liquid or stretching method.  Only test the inside lip if it is the same material as the outside of the boot. Check for stains under both natural and artificial light, if possible. Apply stretching liquid to the area you want to be stretched and surrounding areas until the leather is damp or the synthetic material is visibly wet.  Apply a spray about 5 inches (12 cm) away from the boots. You can apply the liquid to the outside or inside of the shoe. It should stretch either way. If the liquid begins to run off the shoe, stop and wipe off the excess. Make your feet bulkier to stretch out the shoe more. If the shoes are only slightly abrasive, wearing only one pair of socks is fine. Use two pairs of socks for more significant stretching. Wear them the rest of the day and walk around as much as possible to maximize the stretching. Don't walk around in boots that are causing you pain. Skip to the next step instead. There's only so much you can achieve by wearing thick socks. If the boots are still too tight, buy a boot stretcher and use it to stretch the boot overnight:  Find a boot stretcher that stretches the correct area. Some are specialized for toe, instep, or calf stretching, while "two-way" varieties increase the general size of the foot area. Place the boot stretcher into the shoe. Push the foot-shaped object to the end of the boot. If you are using a calf stretcher, place it in the ankle shaft of the boot. Turn the handle of the stretcher a couple of times until you see the tight area visibly stretch outward. Don't make it too tight. Leave the stretcher in for 8-48 hours. A small adjustment can be made overnight. A full-size difference requires a day or two.
Summary: Select a shoe stretching liquid. Prepare a work surface. Test a small area. Rub or spray the tight area. Put on one or two pairs of thick socks. Walk around in the boots while they're still wet and flexible. If they require a lot of stretching, use a boot stretcher.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Sometimes people are confused by the difference between the average and the median of a set of numbers. There are times that the median can be a better number to use than the average, actually.  The median means the midpoint number in the data. It means the number (in this case age) that appears exactly in the middle.. Median might be a better assessment of the group’s age if there is an outlier in the group. Let’s say every student in a college class of 20 is between the ages of 18-25, but there is a single older returning student who is 80. If you calculated the average, the much older student would skew the average upward making the class look older than it really is. If you selected the number at the midpoint of all the ages on a list, it would be a closer representation of the class. So, use median if there is an extreme outlier on your list. Mode is different; that means the number that appears most frequently in the data.  Mean is the same thing as average. It’s just another word used for it. Sometimes the best way to handle numbers is simply to present more than one number, say both median and average. If you’re asked to find the average age but only have age ranges (such as a certain number of people in age range 2-4 and age range 4-6, you would calculate the midpoint number for each range, add those up, and then divide them by the total number in each age range.)
Summary: Know the difference between average and median. Realize how mode differs from mean or average.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Instead, squeeze out the excess water from your hair, and blot it using a soft towel. Do not rub your hair with the towel. This will cause the fibers to snag on your hair and cause it to rip and tear. Also, try to avoid blow drying your hair. Hairdryers are often too hot for curly hair.  If you must use a hairdryer, be sure to spray your hair down with a heat protecting spray first. Wait until your hair is about 75% dry before you start to blow dry it. Be sure to use a low or medium heat setting on your hairdryer. Consider letting your hair air dry. This is the most natural and gentlest method. It also won't disrupt the natural curl pattern of your hair. Your hair becomes puffy and frizzy when you disrupt the curl pattern. Flat irons and curling irons can be very damaging to any hair type. Try to save these tools for special occasions. When you do use a flat iron or a curling iron, first spray your hair down with a heat protecting spray. Be sure to use a lower heat setting on your tool; it may take longer to get the style you want, but it will be gentler on your hair. Parabens have been linked to cancer, which is not something you'd want to put into your hair. Silicones, while great at making hair smooth and shiny, can only be removed by sulfates. Sulfates are harsh, cleaning agents found in many household detergents; they can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it brittle and dry.  You don't want to leave those silicones in your hair either. This can lead to buildup, which can make your hair appear limp and dull. You may also want to avoid products that contain alcohol, especially towards the top of the ingredient list. Alcohol is very drying on hair, which can cause puffiness and even breakage. If you get any tangles, try using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to smooth them out. The more you mess with your hair, the more frizzy it will become. It can be tempting, especially if your hair is curly. Unfortunately, the more you touch your hair, the more you muss the strands and cuticles. This causes your hair to puff up and frizz.
Summary:
Stay away from blow drying and towel drying. Tone down the heat styling. Avoid using anything with sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Do not brush your hair while it is dry. Avoid touching or playing with your hair when it is dry.