Examining the Modeling Process

For the past n years, where n > 60, operations researchers and applied mathematicians have encountered problems situated in the real world, idealized the problem situations, and applied mathematical techniques and procedures to obtain solutions.

They have tested their solutions for stability and validity, and revised the associated conditions to explore what might happen under different circumstances.These were natural stages, consistent with what might happen in engineering design, theoretical research, or mathematical problem solving, and it was natural for the pioneers of mathematical modeling to identify and communicate the essence of what all such problem explorations have in common°™ what we now refer to as the modeling process°™ in simple, yet effective ways.