The most common way that people are infected with rabies is when they are bitten by a wild, feral, or unvaccinated animal. Ultimately, bites by animals should be treated with caution because of the many diseases that can be transmitted through them.  The saliva of an infected animal is the most common way that rabies is spread. Any bite by a wild, stray, or feral animal should get immediate medical attention. Assume that an animal carries rabies unless someone can present you with documentation that the animal has been vaccinated. While bites are the most common way that rabies are transmitted to us, the disease can also be transmitted by scratches. Thus, you should consider all animal-inflicted wounds as a possible way that the rabies virus can be introduced into your body.  Never dismiss a small scratch as a risk. Even small scratches pose the risk of rabies infection. Scratches inflicted by feral or stray cats and dogs may spread rabies. The most common way for scratches to transmit rabies is when an infected animal’s saliva is involved. While animal-inflicted wounds are the most common way that rabies is spread, it can also be introduced into pre-existing wounds.  Fresh wounds and wounds that have not scabbed over are very susceptible to rabies infection. Any wound or injury that is bleeding and comes in contact with the saliva of an infected animal offers a risk of rabies infection. The majority of rabies infections are associated with particular wild animals. Animals that commonly carry rabies include:  Bats Raccoons Skunks Woodchucks Foxes Wolves.

Summary: Look for a bite. Pay attention to scratches. Observe an open wound that has been exposed to an infected animal. Think about your interactions with animals.


Realize that no matter how hard you try, you cannot change your mother or her behavior. You may have to find a way to accept her, your relationship with her, or her 'eccentricities'. Learn to accept her, in both her positive and negative qualities.  If you feel like it's your responsibility to change her or for your younger siblings to have a better life, realize that it is highly unlikely you can affect her to change her behavior. It is not your responsibility. While this is more difficult if you live with your mother, it can be helpful when you visit if you live separate. Instead of going over to her home or having you in yours, agree to meet on neutral territory. If you meet in a public location, it can make it easier for you to leave, and may neutralize the conversation since it is generally rude to explode or behave inappropriately in public. If you don't like your mother coming into your home for fear she may criticize your possessions or cleanliness, don't invite her. If she shows up unannounced, communicate that that behavior is unacceptable to you. Your mother may have a difficult time relating to your wants and needs because she lacks empathy. You may wonder why your mother would treat you this way, and it may be related to her not understanding what it feels like to be talked to or related to in the way she does with you. While the natural reaction is to be rejecting or avoidant, choose to be loving instead. Give her the empathy you wish she would give to you. When you want to react in anger or frustration, pause and respond in a kind, loving way instead. As a child, you need a lot of attention, affection, and guidance. If your mom lets you down, you tend to remember it forever and possibly hold it against her for not meeting your needs. Keep realistic expectations for your mother and for your relationship, without holding her to an unattainable standard. It can be hard to accept at times, but mothers are human, too, and make mistakes or don't meet your needs.  You may want to have a discussion with your mother about your relationship. She may have an expectation to see you 3 times a week when you want to see her once a week. Knowing each other's expectations and how they differ can help alleviate some of the stress of the relationship.

Summary: Practice acceptance. Control contact. Be empathic. Keep your expectations realistic.


When you have one or more algebra problems, you must read the instructions carefully. Look for key words in the instructions like “solve,” “simplify,” “factor,” or “reduce.” These are some of the most common instructions (although there are others that you will learn). Many people have problems because they try to “solve” a problem when they really only need to “simplify” it. When you read the problem instructions, you should identify the key words and then perform those operations. Many people feel frustration with algebra when they try doing something that is not really part of the intended problem. The basic operations you will be asked for are:  Solve. You will need to reduce the problem to an actual numerical solution, such as “x=4.” You need to find a value for the variable that can make the problem come true. Simplify. You need to manipulate the problem into some simpler form than before, but you will not wind up with what you might consider “an answer.” You will probably not have a single numerical value for the variable. Factor. This is similar to “simplify,” and is usually used with complex polynomials or fractions. You need to find a way to turn the problem into smaller terms. Just as the number 12 can be broken into factors of 3x4, for example, you can factor an algebraic polynomial.  For example, a simple expression like 5x{\displaystyle 5x} can be broken into factors of 5{\displaystyle 5} and x{\displaystyle x}. For example, the expression x2+3x+2{\displaystyle x^{2}+3x+2} can be factored into the terms (x+2){\displaystyle (x+2)} and (x+1){\displaystyle (x+1)}.   Reduce. To “reduce” a problem generally involves a combination of factoring and then simplifying. You would break the terms of a numerator and denominator into their factors. Then look for common factors on top and bottom, and cancel them out. Whatever remains is the “reduced” form of the original problem. For example, reduce the expression 6x22x{\displaystyle {\frac {6x^{2}}{2x}}} as follows:  1. Factor the numerator and denominator: (3)(2)(x)(x)(2)(x){\displaystyle {\frac {(3)(2)(x)(x)}{(2)(x)}}}  2. Look for common terms. Both the numerator and denominator have factors of 2 and x. 3. Eliminate the common terms: (3)(2)(x)(x)(2)(x){\displaystyle {\frac {(3)(2)(x)(x)}{(2)(x)}}}  4. Copy down what remains: 3x{\displaystyle 3x} ” In algebra, the difference between an “expression” and an “equation” is very important. An expression is any group of numbers and variables, collected together. Some examples of expressions are x{\displaystyle x}, 14xyz{\displaystyle 14xyz} and 2x+15{\displaystyle {\sqrt {2x+15}}}. All you can do to an expression is simplify or factor it. An equation, on the other hand, contains an = sign. You can simplify or factor equations, but you can also solve them to get a final answer. It is important to look for the difference. If you have an expression, like 4x2{\displaystyle 4x^{2}}, you can never find a single “answer” or “solution.” You could find out that if x=1{\displaystyle x=1}, then the expression would have a value of 4, and if x=2{\displaystyle x=2}, then the expression would have a value of (4)(2)2{\displaystyle (4)(2)^{2}}, which is 16. But you cannot get a single “answer.”
Summary: Read the problem instructions carefully. Perform the operations that are instructed. Learn the difference between “expression” and “equation.