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More Extra Credit for College Algebra
I have written a new extra credit problem for my college algebra students! Hello, everyone. We’re getting to that point in the semester when students start asking the question every professor hates: Can I get extra credit? Now, I will say something really important here and that is I do
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The Divine Wind and Mongolian Invasions
The Mongolian invasions of Japan marked an interesting turning point in the history of the Mongolian Empire. Kublai Khan, the great Mongolian general tried invading in 1274 CE. Kahn’s invasion force launched from the Korean peninsula and included Chinese, Korean, and other forces, previously subjugated by Kahn. Starting with 600
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Monte Carlo Simulation Advantages and Disadvantages
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). First of all, though, we need to understand what MCS is. MCS is best described as a way of estimating uncertainty in a model, and it works really well in nonlinear and chaotic models. The idea is
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Jomon and Yayoi Culture
I am taking a course on Japanese history for funsies so expect to see a fair bit of Japanese history popping up here over the next few months… The Jomon and Yayoi cultures predated modern Japanese culture on the Japanese islands. It is important to understand these are not proto-Japanese
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Welcome to Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Colony offers a counterpoint to the corporate colonization of Jamestown if only because the Mayflower missed its destination. The Mayflower was intended to arrive in Virginia with additional settlers for the growing Virginia colony. However, the ship was forced to put ashore at what is today Plymouth Rock in
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Mixing Toxic Chemicals
Nina asked me about Miamisburg, Ohio, recently. In 1986, I lived about 35 miles away from Miamisburg when a CSX train derailed, releasing a toxic cloud over a large part of the region. Separate cars carrying phosphorus, molten sulfur, tallow, and other fun stuff all started to leak into the
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Jamestown, Democracy Gone Awry
Colonial Virginia offers a different path toward governance. Jamestown was originally settled in 1607. Jamestown was not the first English colony in North America, but the Lost Colony of Roanoke had disappeared nearly two decades before and was never heard from again. Jamestown’s settlers were sent to North America to
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