Finance & Investment
Part I — The Modeling Cycle
Real-world problem formulation, mathematical abstraction, and applied mathematics for translating between practical problems and mathematical frameworks. Covers the modeling cycle (problem identification, assumptions, formulation, analysis, validation, interpretation), Polya's framework adapted for modeling, common model types (linear, exponential, logistic, periodic, power-law), dimensional analysis (Buckingham Pi theorem), optimization (linear programming, gradient descent, constraint satisfaction), probability models (Markov chains, queuing theory, Monte Carlo simulation), statistical modeling (regression, hypothesis testing, model selection), model criticism (overfitting, underfitting, sensitivity analysis), and real-world case studies. Use when formulating mathematical models, performing dimensional analysis, optimizing systems, running simulations, or evaluating model validity.