TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter briefly presents some mathematical tools that are used in modeling at an elementary level. Three topics are addressed. In the first, we examine the basic relations of vector algebra. The second topic deals with the matrix operations that arise particularly in the treatment of simultaneous equations. As the third topic, we present a compilation and analysis of important solution methods for ordinary differential equations. The exposition is accompanied by illustrative examples, and as usual there is a rich choice of practice problems at the end of the chapter.
This chapter may be omitted if its contents are already well understood and in place. It may, on the other hand, serve as a useful refresher and reference or even as a first-time exposure to the topics in question. The treatment is simple enough, and sufficiently comprehensive, to make this possible.
In what follows, we present the principal definitions and operations pertaining to vector algebra. They are also summarized in Table 2.1.
| System/Operation | Defining Relation | Other Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Free Vector A | A = A x i + A y j + A z k |
