Using a plus sign ( ) when passing a variable with a jquery object
<p>I simply need an explanation as to why there needs to be a plus sign (+) before and after my defined variable when passing as an object -- just so I have a better understanding:</p>

<pre><code>$('#mapForm').change(function() {   
var selectedState = $('#mapForm option:selected').val();    
$('a.dot[state*="'+selectedState+'"]').show(1000);
$('a.dot[state!="'+selectedState+'"]').hide(1000);
});
</code></pre>
