Mathematical Modelling Skills (College Work Out Series: The College Course Companions)

The aim of this book is to assist the reader to build up the necessary range of skills needed to be able to solve problems by mathematical modelling. After an introduction to the general principles and advantages of mathematical modelling, chapters 1 to 4 concentrate on the development of basic modelling skills. Each of chapters 5 to 11 isolates a particular modelling concept and provides exercises aimed at developing skills in the use of that concept. The later chapters may be conveniently read in any order as they are self contained. In keeping with the Work Out approach, each chapter contains a large number of examples and exercises, taken from a variety of subject areas and covering a broad range of difficulty. Answers are provided wherever appropriate. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Collecting and Interpreting Data....Pages 1-17 Setting up Models....Pages 18-28 Developing Models....Pages 29-38 Checking Models....Pages 39-51 Discrete Models....Pages 52-64 Continuous Models....Pages 65-77 Periodic Models....Pages 78-89 Modelling Rates of Change....Pages 90-101 Modelling with Differential Equations....Pages 102-120 Modelling with Integration....Pages 121-131 Modelling with Random Numbers....Pages 132-147 Fitting Models to Data....Pages 148-162 Back Matter....Pages 163-164 This work aims to assist the reader develop the necessary skills for solving problems by mathematical modelling. Initial chapters concentrate on basic modelling skills, followed by chapters which isolate particular modelling concepts and provide exercises in the use of that concept. Mathematical Modelling Skills describes and illustrates a comprehensive range of techniques that need to be mastered by anyone who wishes to carry out mathematical modelling exercises