Using the long-range Ising model, we present modern Monte Carlo techni
ques-single and multiple histogram and entropic sampling-which permit
increasing the amount of information obtained from a simulation. Numer
ical results for the density of states, mean energy and specific heat
are compared with exact calculations, easily handled in this case, As
a consequence of the simplicity of the model, the ability of those met
hods to generate continuous plots of thermodynamical quantities can be
appreciated even by students taking basic courses of statistical phys
ics. (C) 1996 American Association of Physics Teachers.