danaleeling

Large language models are particularly ill suited to solving mathematical and statistical systems. The underlying neural networks that look for the next most likely word or phrase based on training data makes no actual calculations. Under the hood, some AI models are diverting mathematical questions to rules based models and mathematical engines.  In a data exploration exercises students were given data based on a research into soil organic carbon sequestration under two types of tree, nitrogen fixing trees in Fabaceae and trees that do not have nitrogen fixing capabilities in  Myrtaceae . The soil organic carbon stored per square meter per year data was synthesized based on the original research report . The students were given data and then instructed: Calculate the mean for the Falcataria trees.  Calculate the mean for the Eucalyptus trees. Make a labelled column chart of the two means. Use the function =TTEST(A2:A21,B2:B21,2,3) to calculate the p-value. Then the stud...

The trimmed planetary playlist was advanced to Friday of week 14 due to the Monday president's day holiday. Start was by 12:03 with the trimmed list. Jupiter by 12:32. Neptune 12:40. Pluto at 12:43. the new list worked perfectly.  13 planets was checked out. The planetary marbles are in a box in the supply closet along with Sol. I asked the class to help layout the solar system on the board. There was disagreement on the size and location of Mercury. Mars put Jupiter off the board. Then the actual size and location of Mercury was unveiled using a yardstick. A102 was empty, the measure wheel was hidden in A102. With Mercury on the floor at 18 feet  the rest of the planets were laid out. This longer opening sequence meant that coverage of each planet in the 13 planets book was dropped, only occasional reference to the book was done to show images of the planets. This approach feels no less functional than a cold open launch into the planets on...

Monday saw a correction to spring 2025 when the lecture moved all too quickly into bonding. Monday started with hydrogen. Then deuterium and tritium were covered. Following this diversion into isotopes, Helium was diagrammed. Helium introduced electron spin and the idea of full shells. S, p, d, f orbitals were briefly mentioned, the Lithium was diagrammed. This wrapped up the period on Monday. This approach permitted time to introduce concepts.  Wednesday was used to introduce bonding, starting with hydrogen-hudrogen. The shatterballs were used.  Starting from hydrogen the jump was made to carbon. Methane was diagrammed followed by ammonia. Then carbon dioxide was attempted. Running low on time and board space, water was the final diagram. Hydrogen ions (protons) and hydroxide ions were covered next. This segued into a definition of acid and bases. Once again the reality of hydronium ions was skipped over. On Thursday a solo on t...