Some Math and Surtsey

In math I have recently been evaluating sequences in recursive form. 

$Here\; is\; problem\; that\; I\; copied\; off\; Khan$Academy ( and how to solve it ):

$f$ is a function that describes a sequence, and is therefore defined over the positive integers. This is the recursive definition of the function:

$\qquad f(n) = \begin{cases} -3 & \text{if } n=1 \\ -5 \cdot f(n\!-\!1) -7 & \text{if } n > 1.\end{cases}$

Generate the first four terms of the sequence.

$f(1)=$
$f(2)=$
$f(3)=$
$f(4)=$

so f(1)=-3 ( as the table tells us )

and then f(2)=-5*f(2-1)-7=-5*f(1)-7=-5*-3-7=15-7=8

and f(3)=-5*8-7=-40-7=-47

finally f(4)=-5*-47-7=228

I learned about a volcanic island today, named Surtsey, which is off the coast of southern Iceland. The name of the island came from a fire giant from Norse mythology, named Surtr ( Iceland was populated by Norsemen before 1000 AD , and has Norse culture ). It started erupting above surface in November 1964, and has been dormant since about 1966. The first sighting of it erupting was made by a cook on a nearby ship. Iceland claimed it and it is part of Iceland. It has been used as a scientific researching area, by volcanologists ( volcano geologists ) and biologists. The volcanologists studied the eruption and how the island fought the erosion caused by the sea ( among other things ). The biologists studied the founder populations of living organisms that populated the island coming from the outside. The sea continually eroded the Island, but the Eruptions added more and more rock to the island so it grew . After 3 or so years though , the eruptions abated ( and then stopped )  and the erosion damage started making an impact. The Island is getting smaller every year, but once the sea gets to the hard strong ( almost ) non-erodible rock at the core of the Island, the erosion rate will decrease. The living organisms the biologists studied include insects, plants ( including non vascular and vascular ) and birds. The insects and plants were first, and then the birds came, and the way they are connected in a food web is amazing. The Insects eat the plants, then the birds come and the insects provide food for them. There were at first few plant species, but when the birds came and fertilized the soil more , more species were able to survive. Also dead birds provided food for carnivorous insects and decomposers. The Island became protected and only scientists were allowed to go on shore. Everyone who goes on shore now is checked to make sure they are not bringing any new seeds to the island. 

Foundation series, and recent happenings

I recently read the Foundation series, ( by Issac Asimov ). It was a pretty good book , I did not like the swearing, but the story was interesting. It really is an amazing science fiction story, based in the future, when mankind grew to inhabit almost all of the galaxy's planets. The story is a astronomical-psychological science definition fiction , blending both categories of science. The plot is that a psychologist  ( Hari Seldon ) predicted that the Galactic Empire ( which had conquered most of the galaxy, and has a capital named Trantor ) would fall soon, and thirty thousand years of barbarism would follow before a second Galactic Empire would rise.  He then devised a plan that ,with the help of two foundations, the time would shorten to 1 thousand years only. The book goes on through many Seldon crisis , and where there was a crisis, Seldon  ( having predicted it ) would hologram himself to the leaders of the foundation and explain how to overcome it. But his predictions did not take in the fact of the Mule, who was a mutant,( and could control emotions ) and he conquered the First foundation. Later a second foundation-er made it so the Mule would die in a year or so, and so restored power to the first foundation. At the end of the book everyone tries to find the second foundation ( where there are people who can control minds ) but failed ( obviously ). 

We have many blackberries in our yard, and they are in season. Were are picking them and they are delicious. There are so many !

I am taking HIST 201 , So far in my history course we have covered the beginnings of Human kind to the Axial age ,and I am going to take my midterm soon. I have almost finished my art class ( ART45 ) and I have read a book that goes along with my history course. It is called : The Conquest of Gaul : Caesar .Which is written by Julius Caesar, and describes his campaigns in Gaul ( France ) and his final conquest of it. It is interesting and it is cool to listen to battle descriptions. Julius Caesar conquers some of Gaul, but then tribes revolt and then he conquers them again, By 51 BC however , all of Gaul is under the Roman yolk. The book also describes his crossing of the Rhine into Germany and his invasion of Britain. 

We have been going to the beach a lot recently, boogie boarding and surfing. Its really fun, you have to catch the wave right as it crashes for maximum effect.