Mathematical Models for Society and Biology

Mathematical Modeling for Society and Biology engagingly relates mathematics to compelling real-life problems in biology and contemporary society. It shows how mathematical tools can be used to gain insight into these modern, common problems to provide effective, real solutions.

Beltrami's creative, non-threatening approach draws on a wealth of interesting examples pertaining to current social and biological issues. Central ideas appear again in different contexts throughout the book, showing the general unity of the modeling process. The models are strikingly novel and based on issues of real concern. Most have never appeared in book form. Through the relevance of these models mathematics becomes not just figures and numbers, but a means to a more refined understanding of the world.

PREFACE; CRABS AND CRIMINALS; IT ISN'T FAIR: MUNICIPAL WORKERS, CONGRESSIONAL SEATS, AND THE TALMUD; WHILE THE CITY BURNS; CLEAN STREETS; THE COIL OF LIFE; MEASLES AND BLOOD CLOTS; SARDINES AND ALGAE BLOOMS; RED TIDES AND WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE RED SQUIRREL ?; SUBMARINES AND TRAWLERS; AFTERTHOUGHTS ON MODELING; APPENDIX; CONDITIONAL PROBABILITY; REFERENCES; SOLUTIONS TO SELECT EXERCISES; INDEX