Chapter 13: The Grind
Upon returning home, Michael immediately headed to his room and focused on reading a variety of complex books on meteorology and computer science. He started with "Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey" by Wallace and Hobbs, which provided a comprehensive overview of meteorological principles. He then tackled "The Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture" by Linda Null and Julia Lobur, delving into the more technical aspects of computer systems.
Balancing his time between these subjects, he also read "Principles of Planetary Climate" by Raymond T. Pierrehumbert to deepen his understanding of climatic dynamics. For computer science, he studied "Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach" by James Kurose and Keith Ross, enhancing his knowledge about network architectures and protocols.
He wondered about why he had to increase his level in computer sciences. But I realized the answer right away. Since the solar panel is an advanced technology compared to what's available in the market, or the prototype, or what is being experimented on, he may have to code computer software to support the infrastructure of the solar panel. After all, computers today are so integrated into literally any technology available today. New novel chapters are published on
With this in mind, he dived into "Operating Systems: Design and Implementation" by Andrew S. Tanenbaum to understand how various operating systems function, which could be crucial in developing compatible software for solar panels. He also explored "Data Structures and Algorithms in Java" by Robert Lafore to enhance his programming skills, particularly in Java, which might be used in the panel's software development.
To further broaden his computer science knowledge, Michael looked into "Digital Design and Computer Architecture" by David Harris and Sarah Harris. This book provided insights into the hardware aspects of computers, which would be beneficial in understanding how the solar panel's software would interact with physical components.
As he progressed through these books, his mastery points in computer science steadily climbed. Michael felt a growing confidence in his understanding of computer science but of course, his knowledge was theoretical. He might need to do some practical tests on an actual computer in the future.
On average, Michael finished one book in forty-five minutes. And it's been sixteen hours since he started his reading marathon. It was now 5:00 AM, and the first light of dawn was beginning to seep through his bedroom window.
Congratulations! You have reached the requirements to unlock the High-Efficiency Solar Panel. Feel free to inspect it at the Virtual World.
Michael felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. His eyes were tired from the relentless hours of reading, but his mind buzzed with new knowledge and ideas. There were some books that gave him 20 to 30, even 50 points a piece, and it was a huge help that he was able to finish the requirements within the day. However—
"Wait...two hours?!" Michael exclaimed. He hadn't slept and he had to attend his class because his school is strict when it comes to attendance.
Catherine furrowed her brows, trying to recall. "Uhm, like... when you have a limit as x approaches, let's say, two, and then you have...uh, a fraction that goes to zero over zero?"
"That's a good start," Michael nodded. "So, the L'H?pital's Rule lets us evaluate this limit by differentiating the numerator and the denominator separately and then taking the limit again. It's a way to work around those tricky indeterminate forms."
Catherine nodded slowly, "Okay, I think I get the basic idea, but I'm not sure how to apply it to actual problems."
"That's what we'll work on," Michael said, reaching for a piece of paper. "Let's start with some basic examples and work our way up. I'll guide you through the process, and soon you'll be able to apply L'H?pital's Rule confidently."
As the session progressed, Michael patiently explained the concept, providing examples and guiding Catherine through the problem-solving process. Her initial hesitation gave way to a growing understanding, and by the end of the session, she was able to tackle the problems with significantly more confidence.
One hour later, Catherine learned the topic easily.
"You are so great at teaching. How come you are not admitted to the University of the Philippines? I'm sure you would easily pass the entrance examination," Catherine praised.
Michael chuckled but quickly died down. "Well, I did try to apply but I failed."
"You failed? How come?" Catherine asked, her eyes widening slightly in disbelief.
"Let's just say at that time, I was stupid," Michael said simply. "Now returning back to the matter at hand, I'll give you exercise problems and I'll check them tomorrow. This way, when your professor announces you'll have a quiz, you are ready."
"So like an assignment huh?" Catherine sighed. "Okay, not a problem. I'm in a mood to solve more problems. Oh...I have been meaning to ask you this, Michael. What's your plan in life? Is it like after graduation you'll find work?"
Michael shook his head. "No, it's something else. I won't get rich by working 9 to 5, so I'm planning to start my own business...starting this year."