A first course in mathematical modeling

Offering a solid introduction to the entire modeling process, A FIRST COURSE IN MATHEMATICAL MODELING, 4e International Edition delivers an excellent balance of theory and practice, and gives you relevant, hands-on experience developing and sharpening your modeling skills. Throughout, the book emphasizes key facets of modeling, including creative and empirical model construction, model analysis, and model research, and provides myriad opportunities for practice. The authors apply a proven six-step problem-solving process to enhance your problem-solving capabilities -- whatever your level. In addition, rather than simply emphasizing the calculation step, the authors first help you learn how to identify problems, construct or select models, and figure out what data needs to be collected. By involving you in the mathematical process as early as possible -- beginning with short projects -- this text facilitates your progressive development and confidence in mathematics and modeling.

1. Modeling Change. 2. The Modeling Process, Proportionality, and Geometric Similarity. 3. Model Fitting. 4. Experimental Modeling. 5. Simulation Modeling. 6. Discrete Probabilistic Modeling. 7. Optimization of Discrete Models. 8. Modeling With Graph Theory. 9. Dimensional Analysis and Similitude. 10. Graphs of Functions as Models. 11. Modeling With a Differential Equation. 12. Modeling With Systems of Differential Equations. 13. Optimization of Continuous Modeling. Appendix A: Problems from the Mathematics Contest in Modeling, 1985-2007 Appendix B: An Elevator Simulation Model. Appendix C: The Revised Simplex Method. Appendix D. Brief Review of Integration Techniques.