Modelling is an essential part of studies in systems and cybernetics and a discussion of ways to better such models can only be welcomed. Often modelling, which is now almost all concerned with computer implementations is carried out by researchers who rely on software packages or on “rule‐of thumb” techniques that have grown in popularity in many areas. Often a mathematical approach is not contemplated because the researcher's knowledge of mathematics is deemed to be inadequate. Software suites that offer easy modelling will use quite sophisticated mathematical systems and, many users would do well to try to understand them before accepting the presented model and its findings.
Neil Gershenfeld's book attempts to explore mathematical modelling by using relatively “easy‐to‐understand” and efficient modelling implementations on computer systems.
The book has been planned so that the chapters build‐up a clear explanation of the techniques, methods and the target model. In three sections it includes: Exact and approximate analytical techniques; An examination of numerical methods; Model Inference‐based on observations; and finally, The special role of time in modelling.
To illustrate the contents of each of these sections the reader is shown how typical problems can be tackled. Links are provided to the current literature in the field. Applications are illustrated with well‐worked and presented case‐problems.
The book offers a useful insight into modelling with mathematical modelling and computer implementation its main concern. The author achieves his aim; of producing a well‐written account of the simple and efficient ways in which such models can be implemented.
The publishers offer more information at the Cambridge University Press web site: www.cambridge.org
