NPOST flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Order of Operations
- A fixed sequence for evaluating expressions: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right.
- Percent Change Formula
- Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the old value, then multiply by 100. A positive result means increase; negative means decrease.
- Mean vs. Median
- The mean is the sum of values divided by the count. The median is the middle value of an ordered list, or the average of the two middle values when the count is even.
- Slope Formula
- For two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), slope equals the change in y divided by the change in x: m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1).
- Cross-Multiplication in Proportions
- In a proportion a/b = c/d, multiply the numerator of each fraction by the opposite denominator to get ad = bc, then solve for the unknown.
- Probability of an Event
- The number of favorable outcomes divided by the total number of equally likely possible outcomes. Expressed as a fraction, decimal, or percent between 0 and 1.
- Distance, Rate, Time
- Distance equals rate multiplied by time. Rearranged, rate equals distance divided by time, and time equals distance divided by rate.
- Area and Circumference of Circle
- Area equals pi times the radius squared (A = pi r squared). Circumference equals two times pi times the radius (C = 2 pi r).
- Main Idea
- The central point that the whole passage develops. It is broader than any single supporting detail and is often stated in the first or last sentence.
- Valid Inference
- A conclusion logically required by stated evidence in the text. It must be supported by the passage, not by outside knowledge or personal opinion.
- Tone vs. Mood
- Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject, such as critical or neutral. Mood is the emotional feeling the text creates in the reader.
- Fact vs. Opinion
- A fact is a statement that can be verified with evidence. An opinion expresses a judgment, belief, or feeling and cannot be proven true or false.
- Author's Purpose
- The reason an author writes a text, most commonly to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain a process. Purpose shapes word choice and structure.
- Contrast Signal Words
- Words such as however, although, nevertheless, whereas, and on the other hand that signal a shift or difference between ideas in a passage.
- Cause and Effect Signals
- Words such as because, therefore, thus, consequently, and as a result that show one event or idea produces another.
- Effective Summary
- A condensed restatement of the main idea and key supporting points in the writer's own words. It adds no new claims and omits minor details.
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- A verb must match its subject in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs, regardless of intervening phrases.
- Singular Indefinite Pronouns
- Pronouns such as each, either, neither, everyone, and nobody are grammatically singular and require singular verbs, as in 'everyone is ready'.
- Who vs. Whom
- Use who as a subject performing an action and whom as an object receiving one. Substituting he or him helps confirm the correct choice.
- Comma Splice
- Two independent clauses joined only by a comma. Correct it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
- Essential vs. Nonessential Clauses
- An essential clause identifies the noun and takes no commas. A nonessential clause adds extra information and is set off by commas.
- Comparative vs. Superlative
- Use the comparative form (-er or more) when comparing two items. Use the superlative form (-est or most) when comparing three or more.
- Parallel Structure
- Items in a list or series must share the same grammatical form, such as all gerunds or all past-tense verbs, to read smoothly.
- Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- A pronoun must match its antecedent in number and gender and refer to one clear noun. Ambiguous reference confuses the reader.
- Incident Report Elements
- A complete report records who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred, how it happened, and who was notified or responded.
- Objective Report Language
- Factual, neutral wording that states what was observed or reported. It avoids opinion, emotion, speculation, and judgmental terms like 'claimed' or 'obviously'.
- Report Narrative Section
- The part of an incident report that presents events in chronological order, separating observed facts from conclusions, recommendations, or opinions.
- Documenting Witness Statements
- Record each witness's account with name and contact information. Exact quotations go in quotation marks; paraphrases are labeled as reported information.
- Report Heading Contents
- Identifying information at the top of a report, typically including case or report number, date and time of occurrence, location, and reporting officer.
- Sentence Fragment
- A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a predicate, or a complete thought, such as 'Because the report was late'.
- Active vs. Passive Voice
- In active voice the subject performs the action. In passive voice the subject receives it, and the actor may be unstated or added after 'by'.
- Apostrophe Uses
- An apostrophe marks possession (the officer's report) or a contraction (it's means it is). The word its without an apostrophe is possessive.