Calculator

---

I was recently introduced to the College Board’s create task for CSP. Essentially, you write an oddly specific and simple program that the College Board gives back to you on your AP test. You then answer questions about loops, program purpose, breaking the program, and other stuff like that. Anyway, after introducing the project, my friend and I came up with the idea to make a calculator that would graph the solution to an initial value differential equation problem.

The only issue was that the program did not meet the specific guidelines, so I ended up abandoning it and just making a simple to-do list. However, I still wanted to finish the project, so I ended up completing it on my own. The calculator uses Euler’s method to calculate and plot a solution to a given differential equation in terms of x and y. After entering an equation, the program prompts for bounds of x (x-initial to x-final) and then the initial value of y. Finally, after entering the step size, the variables are plugged into Euler’s equation and then plotted using Matplotlib.

I’m going to continue working on it, probably adding more functionality to the calculator to deal with other functions (like logarithms with other bases). Here is a demonstration:

My Backyard

When I was younger, I remember always being outside playing or doing something in my backyard. Whether it was shooting on the flimsy goal awkwardly tilted on a hill or running around at a birthday party, I felt like I was always in my backward. As I grew older, however, this connection faded. It was probably because my life got busier (and turf fields), but in the past few years I never would opt to go to the backyard. Strangely, it was only once my family moved closer to the local turf field that I began to use my backyard more – to juggle, run, clean, etc.

This past snow day, I wanted to take some photos, but didn’t want to leave the house. So, I decided to go in my backward. I never realized how much stuff is back there: plants, some berries growing on a bush, and even a family of rabbits. I decided to take some photos, and these are a few of my favorites:

Refereeing

A few years ago, I got a basic certification to referee recreational games. However, I did not pursue this and only ended up refereeing one or two games. After having realized that post-AP exams there will not be much to do, I decided that refereeing games during the weekends would be a good way to make money and stay in shape. So, I bought an online course to get a better certification. I figured if I spent money, I would be motivated to ref a lot of games and therefore make the most money. I guess that is the goal for this spring/summer — work and make money.