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#1 2009-10-26 15:04:42

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Mathematical Models

Mada an "introductory" page on Mathematical Models

How do you like it?


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

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#2 2009-10-26 22:21:39

mathsyperson
Moderator
Registered: 2005-06-22
Posts: 4,900

Re: Mathematical Models

I really like this page. I think the example is a very good one, because it demonstrates that when improving a model, there's a point where the next thing that needs considering would make the calculations much more complex and the accuracy is already good enough that it's probably not worth doing.


Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

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#3 2009-10-27 02:33:07

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: Mathematical Models

Hi MathsisFun;

Interesting, except the part about having a job for life. That was depressing.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#4 2009-10-27 05:20:12

ccmint
Member
Registered: 2009-10-11
Posts: 22

Re: Mathematical Models

The page looks great. I just have one question. How did you figure out the minimum (0.22, 0.17)?

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#5 2009-10-27 05:22:17

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: Mathematical Models

Hi ccmint;

He eyeballed it from the graph.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#6 2009-10-27 05:39:34

ccmint
Member
Registered: 2009-10-11
Posts: 22

Re: Mathematical Models

Ok, Thanks Bobby.

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#7 2009-10-27 06:13:33

mathsyperson
Moderator
Registered: 2005-06-22
Posts: 4,900

Re: Mathematical Models

It's also possible to use calculus to get the exact answer - the x-value turns out to be


Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

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#8 2009-10-27 08:10:43

MathsIsFun
Administrator
Registered: 2005-01-21
Posts: 7,711

Re: Mathematical Models

Thanks, everyone!

Yes, I just eyeballed it, as the exact solution is a calculus thing. I might mention that on the page.


"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

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