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Modelling

 

 

Modelling

Models

Modelling : summing up

 

 

Modelling  (^)

Modelling is building  Models  for the representation of modules, i. e. the entities of a System.

Stages
Modelling requires one to:
- Decompose the system into its basic entities
- Identify the essential/relevant entities and linkages
- Recompose a simplified/selected version of the system with its
  essential/relevant entities and linkages (i.e. the model)

 

 

Models  (^)

 

 

Models  (^)

Definition
A Model is a selected simplified representation of the essential or relevant entities (modules) of some specific reality and their characteristics (fields, factors, features).

Classification
The basic types of Models are:
- Iconic
- Analogue
- Symbolic


Iconic  (^)

Definition
An Iconic Model is a look-alike representation of some specific entity
(e.g. a house)

Classification
Iconic Models can be represented in:
- Two Dimensions : e.g. photos, drawings, etc.
- Three Dimensions : e.g. scale model

Remark
A scale model can be a:
- reduction (scaled down, e.g. the model of a building)
- reproduction (same scale, e.g. copy model, prototype or working model)
- enlargement (scaled up, e.g. the model of an atom)
of some specific entity


Analogue  (^)

Definition
An Analogue Model is the representation of entities of a system by analogue entities pertaining to the model (e.g. through diagrams).

Classification
An Analogue Model can be built through:
- Two Dimensional Visualization : Charts, Graphs, Diagrams
(e.g. the colour coding of a geographical chart for representing different altitudes)
- Three Dimensional Visualization : Analogue Devices
(e.g. the flow of water in pipes to represent the flow of electricity in wires or the flow of resources in an economic system)


Symbolic  (^)

Definition
A Symbolic Model is the representation of entities of a system through symbols.
Symbols can be:
- mathematical
- logical
- ad-hoc

Remark
A Symbolic Model is used whenever the reality is:
- too complex or too abstract to be portrayed through an iconic or analogue model
- the factors of the system (variables) can be represented by symbols that can be manipulated in a meaningful and fruitful way

 

 

Modelling : summing up  (^)

Modelling is the building of Models.

Models can be:
- Iconic
- Analogue
- Symbolic

The use of Models allows for:
- Exploration
- Explanation
- Extrapolation

Extrapolation is achieved through manipulation of Models with a view to Simulating.

 

 

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