An Internal Examination
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"Okay, onto question 3. `Expand (1+x)5 in ascending powers of x, simplifying the coefficients`... isn't that to do with Pascal's triangle? Cara?"
"Yeah... or there was this other way... you could use your calclator, n choose r... had to go through some options. 'n before all that you had to write it, with the powers going up and down."
Putting pen calmly to paper, I started adding up the triangle Josh had mentioned. The most difficult part of this was not reacting to what they were saying. The exam invigilators' job was to make sure people weren't cheating, and--though they were far less strict and more oblivious than they made themselves out to be--even they would become suspicious if I started regularly nodding or smiling.
"One'n'free makes four," Cara said. Her head was resting on my shoulder and her hand stroking my arm gently. Josh was whispering the next part of the question to himself, trying to think up ways to do it.
As soon as I'd finished writing the final x5, he chimed in "I think you have to replace every x with (y + y2), and use the same Pascal's triangle method to simplify it...." I winced, a reaction probably so common in exams as to be unremarkable.
The repetitive task of binomial expansion allowed me to think. Does this count as cheating? The exam was supposed to demonstrate your own ability in the subject. My classmates were lined up in rows and columns, isolated from one-another, no communication allowed, whereas I had two invisible companions to help me.
Technically, I suppose, this was still a demonstration of my brain's ability in the subject. If they were in my mind, and they were helping me to recall and apply this knowledge, then the knowledge must be in my mind as well.
But I knew I had an advantage. Not just through them helping me to remember things, but the warmth of Cara's cheek against my shoulder made me feel safe... and without that I would be as nervous a wreck as I had been in exams prior to them arriving.
Not that it mattered, I was going to pass my exams. It's not as if the system was fair to start with anyway, and there aren't any specific rules about hallucinations... no, mustn't call them that.
"Right, for number four you have to integrate..."
"Slow down Josh," Cara interrupted, "you're more nervous than 'er."
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Hahaha. I was so confused for a while with this, like "Wait, if she's taking an exam, why is she getting away with these people OBVIOUSLY helping her out?"
But yeah, very awesome. I don't know where you got the idea for this [though I can make a few guesses]. It's a really creative and fun concept. I'm a little jealous. Of both you and that girl.
A very easy plus one