<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: easy entry into numerical computing
Review: If any book can be said to make a difficult subject like simulation easy to understand this is it. Gershenfeld describes how to use everything from neural networks to finite element analysis to simulate your system of choice. One important consideration: although the ideal reader should have a wide mathematical and computer science backgound, one needn't be an 'expert' to get the most from this book. The best use of NMM is help the reader make the transition from paper to PC less painless with pointers into the simulation research literature. Anyone learning numerical computing should buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: easy entry into numerical computing
Review: If any book can be said to make a difficult subject like simulation easy to understand this is it. Gershenfeld describes how to use everything from neural networks to finite element analysis to simulate your system of choice. One important consideration: although the ideal reader should have a wide mathematical and computer science backgound, one needn't be an 'expert' to get the most from this book. The best use of NMM is help the reader make the transition from paper to PC less painless with pointers into the simulation research literature. Anyone learning numerical computing should buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great summary of applied mathematics
Review: This book concisely describes critical ideas, techniques, and results of a wide range of applied mathematics which are useful in physical modelings. It has well chosen exercises, though not many, with detail answers. It provides good references for further study. This is important because the explanations given in this book are terse.I think the book is more valuable for those looking for concise reviews than those wanting to learn the materials the first time. Also, Author states (at MIT website) that he is working on the second edition for this book. He wants to add "control theory" and correct some typos.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware!
Review: This book provides a good overview of techniques for mathematical modeling. But it is not easy book for beginners. I agree with one of the reviewers that the readers had better know their mathematics first if they wish to gain something out of reading the book. And beware! The title of the book may be misleading to those who wish to learn the art of mathematical modeling. The book does not teach basic elements of mathematical modeling. In short, those who wish to learn something about mathematical modeling, especially from scratch, would do better by looking for other books.
Rating:
Summary: Beware!
Review: This book provides a good overview of techniques for mathematical modeling. But it is not easy book for beginners. I agree with one of the reviewers that the readers had better know their mathematics first if they wish to gain something out of reading the book. And beware! The title of the book may be misleading to those who wish to learn the art of mathematical modeling. The book does not teach basic elements of mathematical modeling. In short, those who wish to learn something about mathematical modeling, especially from scratch, would do better by looking for other books.
Rating:
Summary: Lucid, broad, insightful overview of math. modeling
Review: This is the best general overview of applied mathematical modeling that I have seen. It succinctly characterizes the essential features of wide variety of tools rarely collected in a single volume. The author makes consistent use of notation and formalisms drawn from physics, which lends the book a uniform ground for all areas discussed. The usefulness of the book is not limited to the techniques presented, however -- there are gems of insight in the commentary scattered throughout the book. My only gripes are the inevitable compromises needed for brevity and the fact that I discussion of software tools struck me as quite weak and rather parochial.
Rating:
Summary: A very good book, indeed, but you'd better know your math!
Review: This is the book that I always wanted to read on mathematical modeling. I only wish he had written it earlier.
Rating:
Summary: A great overview of Mathematical Modeling
Review: Very readable and enjoyable book if you like Applied Mathematics. In addition to very broad but not shallow coverage of the various techniques used to model physical phenomena, the author provides *excellent* references for those who want to dig further. The Matlab code and computer techniques are an excellent addition. I agree with the previous reviewer, the book will become a classic.
<< 1 >>
| 
