Alternate Realities: Mathematical Models of Nature and Man - Hardcover

John L. Casti

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 047161842X ISBN 13: 9780471618423

Publisher: Wiley-Interscience, 1989

Synopsis

Praise for Alternate Realities Mathematical Models of Nature and Man "â?¦covers the major topics completely and accurately within the context of current knowledge. Indeed, to my knowledge, there is no book which does so nearly as completely and well." â??George Leitmann, University of California, Berkeley "Surveys an extensive amount of modern mathematicsâ?¦introduces and outlines some of these basic modern ideas for the non-specialist." â??Donald G. Saari, Northwestern University "A sophisticated and modern text on mathematical modellingâ?¦much more comprehensive than any of its competitors currently on the market." â??George Klir, State University of New York at Binghamton "Castiâ??s approach is fearless in constructing conceptual mappings between reality and mathematical notions. The book is pioneering in nature." â??Myron B. Allen, University of Wyoming

An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the Wiley editorial department.

About this title

From the Publisher

This up-to-date treatment stresses dynamics rather than statics, nonlinearity rather than linearity, and possibility rather than optimality. A thoroughly modern account of the theory and practice of mathematical modelling, treatment focuses on system-theoretic concepts such as complexity, self-organization, adaptation, bifurcation, resiliance, surprise and uncertainty, and the mathematical structures needed to employ these in a formal system. Applications are drawn mainly from the social, behavioral, and life sciences, rather than the physical sciences. Includes extensive problem sets and discussion questions.

From the Inside Flap

With a refreshingly contemporary approach, Alternate Realities: Mathematical Models of Nature and Man brings together many of the strands of modern dynamical system theory for an incisive treatment of the theory and practice of mathematical modeling. The focus is on going from the observed behavior of natural and human systems to the development of formal mathematical models of such behavior. The book probes these problems in a "user-friendly" mathematical environment. The chapters discuss model-making in biology, cognitive processes, ecological and natural resource systems, fluid flow, evolution, artistic forms, games of chance and other engaging, real-world topics. These subjects are approached using such system-theoretic concepts as complexity, self-organization, adaptation, bifurcation, resilience, surprise, and uncertainty, together with other mathematical structures. Discussion questions, problems, and exercises follow each chapter, reinforcing and amplifying the concepts considered. Extensive notes and references are also included for every chapter. For teachers, students, and researchers in mathematical modeling and/or general applied mathematics, Alternate Realities: Mathematical Models of Nature and Man presents an exciting and refreshing approach to capturing the processes of nature and man in formal mathematical terms.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 047161842X
• ISBN 13: 9780471618423
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 493