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- 1 Modelling pollution in the Great Lakes
- Acknowledgements
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Modelling pollution in the Great Lakes
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This unit is the first in the MSXR209 series of five units...
This unit is the first in the MSXR209 series of five units that introduce the idea of modelling with mathematics. This unit centres on a mathematical model of how pollution levels in the Great Lakes of North America vary over a period of time. It demonstrates that, by keeping the model as simple as possible extremely complex systems can be understood and predicted.
After studying this unit you should be able to:
- create simple models, given a clear statement of the problem;
- write down the simplifying assumptions that underpin a model;
- identify the key variables and the parameters of a model;
- apply the input–output principle to obtain a mathematical model, where appropriate.
- Duration: 4 hours
- Published on: Wednesday 20th April 2011
- Level: Introductory
- Posted under: Environmental Science
Modelling pollution in the Great Lakes
Introduction
This unit explores a real-world system – the Great Lakes – where mathematical modelling has been used to understand what is happening and to predict what will happen if changes are made. The system concerned is extremely complex but, by keeping things as simple as possible, sufficient information will be extracted to allow a mathematical model of the system to be obtained.
This unit is an adapted extract from the course Mathematical modelling (MXSR209) [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .
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- Creative-Commons: The Open University is proud to release this free course under a Creative Commons licence. However, any third-party materials featured within it are used with permission and are not ours to give away. These materials are not subject to the Creative Commons licence. See terms and conditions. Full details can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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