Mathematical Modelling: Concepts and Case Studies

Over the past decade there has been an increasing demand for suitable material in the area of mathematical modelling as applied to science and engineering. There has been a constant movement in the emphasis from developing proficiency in purely mathematical techniques to an approach which caters for industrial and scientific applications in emerging new technologies. In this textbook we have attempted to present the important fundamental concepts of mathematical modelling and to demonstrate their use in solving certain scientific and engineering problems. This text, which serves as a general introduction to the area of mathematical modelling, is aimed at advanced undergraduate students in mathematics or closely related disciplines, e.g., students who have some prerequisite knowledge such as one-variable calculus, linear algebra and ordinary differential equations. Some prior knowledge of computer programming would be useful but is not considered essential. The text also contains some more challenging material which could prove attractive to graduate students in engineering or science who are involved in mathematical modelling. In preparing the text we have tried to use our experience of teaching mathematical modelling to undergraduate students in a wide range of areas including mathematics and computer science and disciplines in engineering and science. An important aspect of the text is the use made of scientific computer software packages such as MAPLE for symbolic algebraic manipulations and MA TLAB for numerical simulation.