Reality Rules Picturing the Wo

Advance acclaim for Reality Rules "A first rate text, up-to-date and provocative, written by a master modeler, expositor and critic of the methodology of modeling." - Philip J. Davis Coauthor, The Mathematical Experience "Along with a fascinating variety of models and mathematics, Casti has added a generous supply of workable exercises, making Reality Rules a realistic classroom text as well as a great read." - Reuben Hersh Professor of Mathematics University of New Mexico Alternate Realities Mathematical Models of Nature and Man John L. Casti A thoroughly modern account of the theory and practice of mathematical modeling with a treatment focusing on system-theoretic concepts such as complexity, self-organization, adaptation, bifurcation, resilience, surprise and uncertainty, and the mathematical structures needed to employ these in a formal system. Includes extensive problem sets and discussion questions. "Surveys an extensive amount of modern mathematics introduces and outlines some of these basic modern ideas for the nonspecialist." - Donald G. Saari Northwestern University "Casti's approach is fearless in constructing conceptual mappings between reality and mathematical notions. The book is pioneering in nature." - Myron B. Allen University of Wyoming 1989 (0 471-61842-X) 493 pp.