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Lecture 1
David Godfrey
Lecture 1 Introduction to Process
Mathematical models
Building a model
Checking dimensional consistency
Traffic light problem
Slide number 2
What is a Model?
Dictionary definition
“Imitation of something on a
smaller scale”
Slide number 3
What is a Mathematical Model
of a System?
A mathematical model is a set of
mathematical statements which
attempts to describe the system
Usually the statements are
equations
Slide number 4
What is a System?...examples
Flight of a ball
A yacht
A building
The human body
An electric supply grid
Slide number 5
Why use Mathematical Models?
Slide number 6
The Kiss Principle
Slide number 7
How to Build a Mathematical Model
Slide number 8
First Two Steps
Slide number 9
Quantifiable Factors
Constants
Variables…input and output;
independent and dependant
Parameters…fixed variables…often
fixed for this particular model and
often fixed to simplify the model
Slide number 10
Assumptions…about basic shapes
Slide number 11
Precise Problem Statement
Slide number 12
A Simple Example: A Ball Falling
Under Gravity
DISTANCE y y
SPEED v
TIME t
v
Slide number 13
Design Of A Gutter
10 - x 10 - x
2x
gutter
60
50
40
area
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
x
Slide number 15
Some Checks
Slide number 16
Checking Dimensional Consistency
Slide number 18
An Example
A ball is thrown vertically upwards at speed v
Our theory predicts that it reaches a height
H=gV
g is the gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s )
H = g V
DIMENSIONS L L / T2 L / T
L L 2 / T 3 ????
UNITS metres = metres/sec2 metres /sec ??????
Slide number 20
Predicting a Formula from the
Dimensions
Experiment shows that, for small amplitude,
the period of a simple pendulum depends on l
the length of the pendulum and not on the
mass or amplitude
Slide number 22
Checking Formulae
Slide number 23
Checking Formulae
M1
L3 T
ML3T 1
Slide number 24
Checking Formulae
M1
L3 T
ML3T 1
Slide number 25
Checking Formulae
M1
L3 T
ML3T 1
Slide number 26
Checking Formulae
Slide number 27
Checking Formulae
Slide number 28
Checking Formulae
Slide number 29
Checking Formulae
Slide number 30
Checking Formulae
Slide number 31
Checking Formulae
Slide number 32
Checking Formulae
L 1
M 2
T L2 2
MLT 2 L4
MT 2 L3
Slide number 33
Checking Formulae
Slide number 34
Checking Formulae
Slide number 36
Modelling Traffic Lights
How long should traffic lights stay on green to
prevent excessive build up of cars?
We need a mathematical model which enables us
to calculate the number of cars which pass through
the lights in any given time.
Slide number 38
All 10 cars through the lights by 8 seconds
d
150
100
50
0 t
2 4 6 8
-50
-100
d is the distance from the lights at time t after they turn
green. Each colour represents a car
Slide number 39
Model 2 - All cars accelerate from
rest at 12 m/s2
1 2 u=0
Use s ut at with
a = 12
2
d 6t p 2
Slide number 40
d All 10 cars through the lights by 4 seconds
150
100
50
0 t
1 2 3 4
-50
-100
d is the distance from the lights at time t after they turn
green. Each colour represents a car
Slide number 41
Model 3 - All cars accelerate from rest
at 12 m/s2 and 1sec delay
The car starting from distance p back from the
lights remains there for p/10 seconds
It then accelerates according to the same rule
as Model 2 (i.e. d = 6t2-p) but starting at time
p/10
6(t - p/10) 2 - p t p/10
d=
-p otherwise
Slide number 42
All 10 cars through the lights by 13 seconds
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2 4 6 8 10 12
-200
d is the distance from the lights at time t after they turn
green. Each colour represents a car
Slide number 43
Conclusions
If the aim is to clear a stream of 10 cars, 10 m apart:
Model 1 - All cars travel at constant speed of 12 m/s
Lights stay on for 8 secs