Addressed to engineers, scientists, and applied mathematicians, this book explores the fundamental aspects of mathematical modelling in applied sciences and related mathematical and computational methods. After providing the general framework needed for mathematical modelling-definitions, classifications, general modelling procedures, and validation methods-the authors deal with the analysis of discrete models. This includes modelling methods and related mathematical methods. The analysis of models is defined in terms of ordinary differential equations. The analysis of continuous models, particularly models defined in terms of partial differential equations, follows. The authors then examine inverse type problems and stochastic modelling. Three appendices provide a concise guide to functional analysis, approximation theory, and probability, and a diskette included with the book includes ten scientific programs to introduce the reader to scientific computation at a practical level.

Series edited by: Nicola Bellomo