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Mathematical Modeling with Linear Equations
(Adapted from a project from the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications)
The process of studying and gaining an understanding of a problem is called
modeling
. If theunderstanding is the result of using mathematics, the process is known as
mathematical modeling
.
Mathematical Model
A mathematical model is a way of describing a real problem using mathematics. The model can come in anumber of different forms:
•
a description in words
•
a graph, such as the graph of a straight line
•
an equation, such as the equation for the area of a rectangle
•
a table of values, such as a table of possible dimensions for a rectangle of a given area
•
a drawing, such as a scale drawing of a room
•
a diagram, such as a flow chart or arrow diagram
•
a computer simulation, that imitates a real situation, such as a flight simulator Once a model is built, you can use mathematics to find a solution to the problem. This will be muchclearer after you have done it once. For mathematical modeling, you learn by doing. Following is ageneral summary of the main steps in mathematical modeling.
Steps to creating a Mathematical Model
1.
Identify the situation.
Read and ask questions about the problem. Identify issues you wish tounderstand so that your questions are focused on exactly what you want to know.
2.
Simplify the situation.
Make assumptions and note the features that you will ignore at first. Listkey features of the problem. These are the assumptions that you will use to build your model.
3.
Build the model and solve the problem.
Describe in mathematical terms the relationshipsamong the parts of the problem, and find the answer. Some ways to describe the featuresmathematically include:
•
define variables
•
write equations
•
draw shapes
•
measure objects
•
calculate probabilities
•
gather data and organize into tables
•
make graphs
4.
Evaluate and revise the model.
Check whether your solutions make sense, and test your model.If so, use the model until new information becomes available or assumptions change. If not,
1
 
reconsider the assumptions you made in step 2 and revise them to be more realistic.
Mathematical Modeling Process
 
You might go through a revision process several times before you are done making your model. Oneimportant principle is to
keep it simple.
You can always add factors and modify the model, but beginsimple. In general, all models ignore something, and first models usually ignore several factors. As longas the assumptions are clearly stated as part of the model, the only criticism can be that it is too simple.
Producing a Concert
Sam Arteste spends so much time thinking up "get-rich-quick" schemes that he is known as “Sam theScam." Recently Sam decided that his future lies in concert promoting. He has come to you, and themembers of your consulting group, to help him successfully get into the business.Sam has three acts that he is thinking of booking:
•
"Who's That?" (aging rock band)
•
"Ms. Teak" (rap performer)
•
"Dixie Chickens" (country/folk duo).He also has narrowed the place for the concert down to two choices, both in Houston: The Cotton Bowlwith a seating capacity of 25,704 or the Starplex Amphitheater with a seating capacity of 20,111. Finallyhe has a report from a consumer group that suggests that ticket prices affect how many people will cometo a concert. The "bottom-line" problem for Sam is: how much should he charge for admission to theconcert in order to make the most money?The first task of a modeler is to identify the problem. Sam must make decisions about which band tobook, which stadium to rent, and how much to charge for tickets. Decisions about the band and stadiumwill depend upon how much Sam is willing to spend. These costs will have an important effect on whether Sam can afford to put on the show. In order to pay for these costs, Sam must earn enough money fromticket sales. The money earned from ticket sales and the money spent in costs will play important roles inthe model. If Sam is able to earn more than he spends, then he might make some "big bucks!"
 Your Project You will use the process of mathematical modeling to help Sam Arteste make his concert-producing decisions. During this activity you will go through five tasks and worksheets to create amathematical model for producing Sam’s rock concert. Once you have completed thisgroundwork, you will create a final report of your findings and recommendations to give to Samso that he can make his decisions.
2
 
TASK 1: Keep It Simple!
Figuring out which band to hire, where to schedule the concert, and how much to charge for tickets canbe a complicated process for a concert promoter. At the same time, making decisions about these factorsis fairly complex. Here’s an opportunity for mathematical modeling. In this task you will make someassumptions to simplify the problem so that you can start to build a model.
What Comes In
To plan the concert, you will eventually have to make decisions about the following three elements: theband, the arena, and how much to charge for tickets. But you will begin with Sam's basic concern whichis: "How much should he charge for admission to the concert in order to make the most money?"You can simplify Sam's problem by considering, for now, how much money he can earn; that is how muchhis
revenue
will be. You will consider his costs later. Also for the moment you don't need to worry aboutwhether ticket prices are so high that few people will come.Your first task is to make some assumptions so that you can build a model for Sam's revenue. Therevenue model can take the form of a table, a graph, or an equation. You will use all three.For this project the variable
n
always represents the number of tickets sold. Because ticket salesdetermine how much money Sam earns (and not the other way around), the number of tickets is the
input variable
.There is a limit to what numbers
n
can represent. This variable can use only integer values between zeroand the capacity of the stadium. The description of conditions on the values of an input variable is calledthe
domain of the variable.
For example, since the Cotton bowl has a seating capacity of 25,704, thenthe domain of 
n
for this situation is the set of integers from 0 to 25,704.The
range
of the output variable is all the possible values of the variable. If 
R 
represents the revenue atthe Cotton Bowl, and each ticket $20, the range of the output variable
R 
is multiples of 20 from 0 to$514,080.For our initial model, you will look potential revenue using the capacity of the Cotton Bowl and theassumption of a ticket price of $20.There are three different ways we can show the relationship of ticket sales,
n
, (domain) and revenue,
R 
,(range): a table, an equation, and a graph. Each has its own features and uses. Since you do not yetknow exactly how you are going to use your information, you are not sure which is best for your needs.
Task 1 Worksheet
Since you are keeping your first model simple, you want to start with a simple revenue model. However,you aren’t sure of the best way to express it. Create your Revenue Model using all three methods: anequation, a table, and a graph.
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NinaRicci

try to make one, thanks!

reply07 / 10 / 2008
NinaRicci

hahaha111 good... it help a lot... keep up the good work!

reply07 / 10 / 2008
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