Topics in Mathematical Modeling
"This beautifully produced book should provide a joyful and stimulating reading experience for any layman who is curious about real-life events in the context of mathematical modelling, and it provides an excellent entry point to more advanced areas such as mathematical biology or climate modelling."--Z. Q. John Lu,Significance"What do global warming, predator-prey interactions, and the World Wide Web have in common? All of these disparate phenomena can be modeled using mathematics. InTopics in Mathematical Modeling, K. K. Tung demonstrates math¹s relevance to problems of current research interest in biology, ecology, computer science, geophysics, engineering, and the social sciences."--Scientific American Book Club"[T]his is a good introductory book about the nature and purpose of mathematical modeling. The topics chosen and the way in which they have been motivated and presented will help a wide range of students to 'see the point' and thereby arouse and stimulate their confidence about their mathematical problem solving skills."--Bob Anderssen,Australian Mathematics Society"I was so impressed by the breadth of examples contained in its 336 pages that I immediately set about using it to update one of my own undergraduate courses. . . . A wonderful source book for all kinds of undergraduate mathematical activities. . . . Extremely clear. . . . It is highly recommended."--Chris Howls,Times Higher Education"Tung's preface shows that he is a dyed-in-the-wool teacher of considerable talent whose only mission is to show the student how to take raw empirical data and turn it into a mathematical paradigm that can be analyzed. His prerequisites are solid but minimal: calculus and a smattering of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). He is wise to provide an appendix with a quick treatment of ODEs for those whose background is deficient. Tung also describes in the preface a clear path for those who wish to avoid the differential equations altogether. Tung covers some of the usual modeling topics but also many others that are surprising and refreshing."--Steven G. Krantz,UMAP Journal