Mathematical modeling methods

Author: Yuan Xiadong, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: Since the 1990s, universities in China have successively offered courses on mathematical modeling. Starting in 1991, institutions such as East China Normal University, Shanghai Normal University, Nanjing Normal University, and Zhejiang Normal University began to offer mathematical modeling courses, engaging in teaching and research activities in this field. Through the teaching practice of mathematical modeling, we have come to realize that: the mathematical modeling course plays a role that other mathematics courses cannot replace in cultivating students' abilities to identify, summarize, and establish mathematical models from real-world problems, as well as to use computers and mathematical software to solve practical issues. It also has unique advantages in fostering students' ability to think independently and express mathematical problems and solutions. Since the purpose of offering mathematical modeling courses is to cultivate students' ability to solve real-world problems, and this ability can be developed through different content and examples, universities can adopt textbooks that suit their specific circumstances. In developed countries, there are approximately 200 textbooks on mathematical modeling, while in China, the number of such textbooks is about one-tenth of theirs. Therefore, encouraging the writing of mathematical modeling textbooks with different styles and examples is beneficial for the development of mathematical modeling education in China.