Modeling Reality Ho Computers Mirror Life [Hardcover]

The bookModeling Realitycovers 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.

1. From Building Blocks to Computers: Models and Modeling
2. The Game of Life: A Legendary Cellular Automaton
3. Heads or Tails: Probability of an Event
4. Galton's Board: Probability and Statistics
5. Twenty Questions: Probability and Information
6. Snowflakes: The Evolution of Dynamical Systems
7. The Lorenz Butterfly: Deterministic Chaos
8. From Cantor to Mandelbrot: Self-Similarity and Fractals
9. Typing Monkeys: Statistical Linguistics
10. The Bridges of K?nigsberg: Graph Theory
11. Prisoner's Dilemma: Game Theory
12. Let the Best Man Win: Genetic Algorithms
13. Computers Can Learn: Neural Networks
14. Unpredictable Individuals: Modeling Society
15. Universal Computer: The Turing Machine
16. Hal, R2D2 and Number 5: Artificial Intelligence
Epilog
Programs
Further Reading
Index