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Understanding Modeling and Simulation

A system exists in time and space, a model is a simplified representation of a system at a point in time or space to promote understanding, and a simulation manipulates a model to compress time or space to perceive interactions. Modeling and simulation develops understanding of a system's interacting parts and as a whole, achieving a level seldom possible in other disciplines. A system maintains existence through interaction of its parts, while a good model promotes understanding through an appropriate level of simplification and detail.

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8 views1 page

Understanding Modeling and Simulation

A system exists in time and space, a model is a simplified representation of a system at a point in time or space to promote understanding, and a simulation manipulates a model to compress time or space to perceive interactions. Modeling and simulation develops understanding of a system's interacting parts and as a whole, achieving a level seldom possible in other disciplines. A system maintains existence through interaction of its parts, while a good model promotes understanding through an appropriate level of simplification and detail.

Uploaded by

tmakoo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Modeling & Simulation

An Introduction

After some consideration regarding a meaningful way of putting System, Model, and
Simulation in an appropriate perspective I arrived at the following distinction.

System

 A system exists and operates in time and space.

Model

 A model is a simplified representation of a system at some


particular point in time or space intended to promote understanding of
the real system.

Simulation

 A simulation is the manipulation of a model in such a way that it


operates on time or space to compress it, thus enabling one to perceive
the interactions that would not otherwise be apparent because of their
separation in time or space.

Modeling and Simulation is a discipline for developing a level of understanding of the


interaction of the parts of a system, and of the system as a whole. The level of
understanding which may be developed via this discipline is seldom achievable via
any other discipline.

A system is understood to be an entity which maintains its existence through the


interaction of its parts. A model is a simplified representation of the actual system
intended to promote understanding. Whether a model is a good model or not depends
on the extent to which it promotes understanding. Since all models are simplifications
of reality there is always a trade-off as to what level of detail is included in the model.
If too little detail is included in the model one runs the risk of missing relevant
interactions and the resultant model does not promote understanding. If too much
detail is included in the model the model may become overly complicated and
actually preclude the development of understanding. One simply cannot develop all
models in the context of the entire universe, of course unless you name is Carl Sagan.

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