Introduction

to
Mathematical Modeling
Department of Mathematics and Physics
College of Science
Central Luzon State University

August 18, 2023

Definition 1.1: A system is an assemblage of objects joined in
some regular interaction or independence.

• How does a particular system work?

• What causes changes in the system and the
sensitivity of the systems to certain changes?
• What changes might occur and when they
occur?
• How much information is obtained?
 Real-World System
Observed behavior or
phenomenon
To study population of two interacting species.
• Is the species coexist within the environment?
• Is one species eventually dominate and drive other into
extinction?
Management of fishery
• Optimal sustainable yield of a harvest
• Sensitivity of the species to population caused by
harvesting.
Drawing conclusions from observed behavior in the real world.

PROS of trials/experiments
Real-world behavior ✓ Minimize the loss of fidelity
CONS of trials/experiments
Trials/Experiments ▪ Cost of trials/experiments
▪ Not even possible to conduct
▪ Not willing to accept failure from
one experiment
Real-world ▪ Generalization beyond specific
conditions set by one trial.
conclusion ▪ There are questions that are still not
being answered.
• Reason on why a particular behavior
occur.
Drawing conclusions from observed behavior in the real world.

Observation
Real-world behavior Simplification
Model

Trials/Experiments Analysis

Real-world conclusion Mathematical

Interpretation
Conclusion
1. Through observation, identify the primary factors involved in the real-world
behavior, possibly making simplifications.
2. Conjecture tentative relationships among the factors.
3. Apply mathematical analysis to the resultant model.
4. Interpret mathematical conclusions in terms of the real-world problem.
 The modelling process as closed system

Formulation
Real-world data Model

Test Analysis

Predictions/Explantions Mathematical
Interpretation
Conclusion
 What is mathematical modeling?

Model (n.) – a miniature representation of something; a pattern of

something to be made; an example for imitation or emulation; a
description or analogy used to help visualize something (e.g. atom)
that cannot be directly observed.
Modeling – a cognitive activity in which we think about and make
models to describe how devices or objects of interest behave.
Mathematical Model (n.) – a representation in mathematical
terms of the behavior of the real objects.
- a simplified representation of some real world ideas or
process.
 What is mathematical modeling?

• Models are described with equations and/or computer code

based on the equations

• Models mimic an “essential features” of a system

• The models are formed based on the following:

• Variables
• Parameters
• Functional relations between variables and parameters.
Properties of Model
Principles of Mathematical Modeling

A first-order view of
mathematical modeling
that shows how the
questions asked in a
principled approached to
building a model relate to
the development of that
model (inspired by Carson
and Cobelli, 2001)
 Construction of Mathematical Models

Step 1: Identify the problem

Step 2: Make assumptions
a.) Identify and classify the variables
b.) Determine interrelationships between variables and submodel
Step 3: Solve the model
Step 4: Verify the model
a.) Does it address the problem?
b.) Does it make common sense?
c.) Test it with real-world data.
Step 5: Implement the model.
Step 6: Maintain the model.
 Construction of Mathematical Models

SCENARIO:
The human population in the Philippines.

Possible problem statement:

What will be the future number of human population in The Philippines?
(To predict the future human population in The Philippines).

Variables that affect the behavior:

Birth rate, Death rate, Immigrants, current population, health, age gap of
people living in the Philippines, etc.
GROUP ACTIVITY

The following scenario are vaguely stated. From these vague scenarios,
identify a problem you would like to study. Which variables affect the
behavior you have identified in the problem identification? Which variables
are the most important?

Scenario 1: A retail store intends to construct a new parking lot.

Scenario 2: A farmer wants to maximize the yield of a certain crop of food
grown on his land. Has the farmer identified the correct problem? Discuss
alternative objectives.
Scenario 3: How should you design a lecture hall for a large class?

Choose two scenarios only.