Modeling Reality: How Computers Mirror Life

by Iwo Bialynicki-Birula, Iwona Bialynicki-Birula

Overview

The bookModeling Reality covers a wide range of fascinating subjects, accessible to anyone who wants to learn about the use of computer modeling to solve a diverse range of problems, but who does not possess a specialized training in mathematics or computer science. The material presented is pitched at the level of high-school graduates, even though it covers some advanced topics (cellular automata, Shannon's measure of information, deterministic chaos, fractals, game theory, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and Turing machines). These advanced topics are explained in terms of well known simple concepts: Cellular automata - Game of Life, Shannon's formula - Game of twenty questions, Game theory - Television quiz, etc. The book is unique in explaining in a straightforward, yet complete, fashion many important ideas, related to various models of reality and their applications. Twenty-five programs, written especially for this book, are provided on an accompanying CD. They greatly enhance its pedagogical value and make learning of even the more complex topics an enjoyable pleasure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198531005
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/06/2005
Edition description:	BK&CD-ROM
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 6.60(h) x 0.68(d)

About the Author

Warsaw University

University of Pisa

Table of Contents

1. From Building Blocks to Computers: Models and Modeling2. The Game of Life: A Legendary Cellular Automaton3. Heads or Tails: Probability of an Event4. Galton's Board: Probability and Statistics5. Twenty Questions: Probability and Information6. Snowflakes: The Evolution of Dynamical Systems7. The Lorenz Butterfly: Deterministic Chaos8. From Cantor to Mandelbrot: Self-Similarity and Fractals9. Typing Monkeys: Statistical Linguistics10. The Bridges of Königsberg: Graph Theory11. Prisoner's Dilemma: Game Theory12. Let the Best Man Win: Genetic Algorithms13. Computers Can Learn: Neural Networks14. Unpredictable Individuals: Modeling Society15. Universal Computer: The Turing Machine16. Hal, R2D2 and Number 5: Artificial IntelligenceEpilogProgramsFurther ReadingIndex