How to Calculate Paper Stock Consistency

Dry the filter paper in the drying oven for one hour and then record the weight.
Obtain a sample of the pulp slurry. Shake the sample well. If it is expected that the consistency will be 1 percent or less, pour 500 milliliters from the sample container into the graduated cylinder. If it is expected that the consistency will be between 1 and 4 percent, pour 250 milliliters from the sample container into the graduated cylinder.
Place the weighed filter paper into the Buchner funnel and wet with distilled water. Apply suction to the funnel. Pour the pulp slurry sample through the filter paper and allow all water to drain from the resulting pad.
Remove the filter paper from the Buchner funnel, taking care to retain all pulp fibers. Place the filter paper in the drying oven and dry until a constant weight is obtained. Weigh the sample, and determine the weight of pulp fibers by subtracting the weight of the filter paper from the total sample weight.
Calculate the consistency using the formula Consistency (in percent) equals the fiber weight (in grams) divided by the sample volume used (in milliliters) times 100.

How to Become an Independent Stock Broker

Go to the National Association of Independent Securities Dealers and register to take a Series 7 Exam. The exam takes about six hours to complete with 260 questions, which you will have to pass with a score of 70 percent or higher.
Fill out and file a FOCUS form with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which will register your independent status. You can send it in by mail or electronically.
Set up an account at a brokerage like TD Waterhouse or Schwab to act as a custodian for any funds that you hold their on behalf of your clients. Although most brokerages that employ traditional brokers and also charge them fees based on the assets, they manage the independent broker is free of those onerous fees. At this stage, you can solicit clients and begin investing their money directly while keeping the lion's shares of the commissions and fees for yourself.

How to Calculate Preferred Stock

Obtain the original price at which the preferred stock was issued. This is called the par value and can be found in the stock's prospectus. The prospectus is located on the company website; if not, you can ask your broker to provide the information.
Obtain the preferred dividend. The dividend can be found in the prospectus or provided by your stock broker. The prospectus may present the preferred dividend as a percentage rate of the par value; this is called a dividend rate. If so, multiply the rate times the par value. This will equal the preferred dividend.For example, if the prospectus gives a dividend rate of 6 percent and a par value of $25, the preferred dividend would equal $1.50 (.06*25=$1.50).
Use an online calculator to determine the required rate of return. This is the minimum rate that investors need before they invest their money. Sites such as Moneychimp.com, Money-zine.com and Investment Analysis Calculator (see Resources), are easy to use and provide accurate calculations for the required rate of return.
Divide the preferred dividend by the required rate of return. The result is the preferred stock price. This price is the highest amount you should pay per share. If you pay any more than this, you will be overpaying.