By
Mark Meerschaert, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, USA
Mark Meerschaert, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, USA
Description
Mathematical Modeling 3e is a general introduction to an increasingly crucial topic for today's mathematicians. Unlike textbooks focused
on one kind of mathematical model, this book covers the broad spectrum of modeling problems, from optimization to dynamical systems to
stochastic processes. Mathematical modeling is the link between mathematics and the rest of the world. Meerschaert shows how to refine
a question, phrasing it in precise mathematical terms. Then he encourages students to reverse the process, translating the mathematical
solution back into a comprehensible, useful answer to the original question. This textbook mirrors the process professionals must follow
in solving complex problems.
Each chapter in this book is followed by a set of challenging exercises. These exercises require significant
effort on the part of the student, as well as a certain amount of creativity. Meerschaert did not invent the problems in this book--they
are real problems, not designed to illustrate the use of any particular mathematical technique. Meerschaert's emphasis on principles
and general techniques offers students the mathematical background they need to model problems in a wide range of disciplines.
This
new edition will be accompanied by expanded and enhanced on-line support for instructors. MATLAB material will be added to complement
existing support for Maple, Mathematica, and other software packages, and the solutions manual will be provided both in hard copy and
on the web.
Audience:
Advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students in mathematics and closely related fields. Formal prerequisites consist of the usual
freshman-sophomore sequence in mathematics, including one-variable calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential
equations. Prior exposure to computing and probability and statistics is useful, but is not required.
