The Art of Modeling Dynamic Systems: Forecasting for Chaos, Randomness, and Determinism (Scientific and Technical Computation Series)

In the coverage of dynamics, there is a definite gap between ``picture-book'' popularizations and the technical literature. This work fills that gap. Shows engineers and scientists how, by the application of statistical methods, coordinate transformations and mathematical analysis, any complex, unpredictable dynamical system can be mapped--transformed into a simpler, predictable system. The various modeling tools available, their benefits and their limitations are described. Examples and analogies are used in place of theorems and proofs, making this an immediately practical book. By showing how to make models more meaningful and useful, it will be particularly helpful in clearing up the impasse between economics and system dynamics. Features a number of carefully selected references to more mathematical treatments, examples of some of the more specialized techniques and case histories of some models.