Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for University

Financial Concepts and Calculation Practice

Expectation Theory and Two-Year Rates

Problem: If the one-year rate on an instrument is 9.0% and the expected rate for a one-year instrument one year from today is 9.89%, what is the expected two-year rate today, if the expectation theory holds?

• One-year rate: 9.00%
• One-year rate, one year forward: 9.89%

Formula: (1 + R1) * (1 + ER2) = (1 + R2)^2

Calculation:

• (1 + 0.09) * (1 + 0.0989) = (1 + R2)^2
• (1.09) * (1.0989) = (1 + R2)^2
• 1.197801 = (1 + R2)^2
• sqrt(1.197801) = 1 + R2
• 1.094449 = 1 + R2
• R2 = 0.094449

Expected Two-Year Rate: 9.44% (approximately 9.4%)

Understanding the Rule of 72

The Rule of 72 is a quick method to estimate the number of years it takes for an investment to double in value, given a fixed annual... Continue reading "Essential Financial Concepts & Calculations" »

The Rapid Rise of Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is damaging our environment rapidly. Waste plastic material is hard to dispose of and contributes to major pollution on Earth. This has become a cause of global concern in recent times. With the increasing use of plastic bags, utensils, and furniture, the amount of plastic waste has also gone up, and so has plastic pollution.

It is time we must take this problem seriously and work towards eradicating it, because it is causing significant damage to humans, animals, and plants. Our planet is suffering, and we need to stop this trend.

The Ubiquitous Threat to Ocean Ecosystems

Plastic pollution is already one of the most serious threats to ocean ecosystems. Scientists realize that plastic is ubiquitous—it... Continue reading "Global Crisis: Mitigating Plastic Pollution and Waste Management" »

Chapter 7: Experiencing Positive Emotions

When it comes to flourishing as human beings, what often takes center stage is our ability to feel positive emotions.

One of the core elements of flourishing is the study of positive emotions (PERMA).

Positive Emotions: a wide range of pleasant emotions in the past, present, and future; being able to know what it is to be happy and to experience an enduring sense of well-being.

Two ways of smiling:

- Duchenne smile: a full-face smile where not only your mouth turns up, but the corners of your eyes crinkle, as well. That is, you smile with your eyes as well as your mouth.

- “the other smile”: with the mouth only and does not involve the eyes.

The extent to which the women displayed the Duchenne smile in... Continue reading "Experiencing Positive Emotions and Happiness" »

Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology:

The application of psychological principles and theories to the workplace.

Scientist/Practitioner Model:

An approach used to train I/O psychologists maintaining that because I/O psychologists are both generators and consumers of knowledge, training must be focused on both theory and application.

Competencies:

The skills, behaviors, and capabilities that allow employees to perform specific functions.

Dissertation:

A unique piece of scholarly research that is usually the last hurdle before obtaining a PhD.

My Alpha and Army Beta:

Mental ability tests developed by I/O psychologists during World War I that were used to select and classify army personnel.

Science:

A process or method for generating a body of knowledge.... Continue reading "Understanding I/O Psychology and Research Methods" »

Stages of the Service Marketing Research Process

Complaint Solicitation

A method of communication to improve services by gathering customer feedback.

Critical Incident Studies

Qualitative interviews where customers share stories of satisfying and dissatisfying service encounters.

Requirement Research

Identifying the expected benefits and attributes customers desire in a service.

Relationship and SERVQUAL Surveys

Questionnaires assessing the customer-company relationship to identify strengths and weaknesses.

Trailer Calls or Post-Transaction Surveys

Brief surveys conducted immediately after a transaction to capture key service encounter information.

Service Expectation Meetings and Reviews

Eliciting client expectations at a specific time and later assessing... Continue reading "Service Marketing Research: Process, Relationships, and Recovery" »

Cell Membrane Dynamics

Plasma membrane phospholipids are labeled with a fluorescent tag and then the phospholipids in one area are bleached with a laser beam to eliminate the fluorescent signal. What would one observe after the cell is incubated for a few minutes? The bleached molecules would diffuse laterally through the membrane and intermix with unbleached molecules. Cellular membranes are mosaic and fluid. Glycosylated proteins and lipids within the plasma membrane are important for cell recognition and protection.

Passive Diffusion

Passive diffusion is a spontaneous process. Water diffuses through certain organs such as the kidneys and bladder much faster than would occur by passive diffusion through a lipid bilayer alone. What accounts for... Continue reading "Cell Membrane Dynamics and Transport Mechanisms" »

Python Store Management System

This code defines a Store class in Python, designed to manage customers, sellers, and orders. It uses basic object-oriented principles and data structures.

Class Definition

from Problema2.Cliente import Cliente
from Problema2.Vendedor import Vendedor

class Tienda():
    def __init__(self):
        self.__personas = []
        self.__pedidos = []

    def altaCliente(self, Cliente):
        alta = False
        if Cliente in self.__personas:
            alta = False
        else:
            self.__personas.append(Cliente)
            alta = True
        return alta

    def altaVendedor(self, Vendedor):
        alta = False
        if Vendedor in self.__personas:
            alta = False
        else:

Probability Distributions

Discrete Random Variables

1. If the outcomes of a discrete random variable follow a Poisson distribution, then which of the following is true?
   • (A) The mean equals the variance.
2. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a binomial probability distribution?
   • (A) Each trial has a finite number of possible outcomes.
3. If the probability of a machine producing a defective part is 0.05, what is the probability of finding exactly 5 defective parts from a sample of 100? (Assume that the process follows a binomial distribution and round the answer to four places.)
   • (C) 0.1800
4. The number of arrivals of delivery trucks per hour at a loading station is an example of which of the following processes?
   • (C) Poisson
5. When sampling without replacement

Promotion: The Key to Increased Sales

The final and crucial factor that helps to increase sales and marketing effectiveness is promotion. Promotion is the method of communication by which the marketer provides information about the product. It includes advertisements, personal selling, word-of-mouth publicity, etc. For example, the Apple iPhone is promoted on TV, social media, etc.

E-commerce Pricing Strategies

Many online retail businesses use one of three popular strategies to set product prices: cost-based, competitor-based, and value-based.

Cost-Based Pricing

Cost-based pricing, or as it is sometimes called, cost-plus pricing, may be the most popular pricing model in the retail industry. Its greatest advantage is simplicity. It permits a store,... Continue reading "Effective Marketing Strategies and Pricing Models" »