A textbook for an undergraduate course introducing the principles of mathematical modeling; even skipping the sections involving probability, it contains a semester's worth of material. Students should have a good knowledge of calculus and a bit of probability and matrix theory. The basic premise is that all mathematics students need an understanding of mathematical modeling even if they do not intend to practice the craft. The strategy is to convince them that modeling is interesting and useful by explaining the main themes and methods without a lot of technicality or specialization. The 1984 edition was published by McGraw-Hill. Annotation 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
