Most of the time, continuous systems are approximated as discrete systems, and

solutions
are obtained in a simpler manner. Although treatment of a system as continuous
gives exact
results, the analytical methods available for dealing with continuous systems are
limited to a
narrow selection of problems, such as uniform beams, slender rods, and thin plates.
Hence
most of the practical systems are studied by treating them as finite lumped masses,
springs,
and dampers. In general, more accurate results are obtained by increasing the
number of
masses, springs, and dampers that is, by increasing the number of degrees of
freedom.