Employing a practical, "learn by doing" approach, this first-rate text fosters the development of the skills beyond pure mathematics needed to set up and manipulate mathematical models. From a diversity of fields—including science, engineering, and operations research—come over 100 reality-based examples. Accessible text assumes only elementary calculus, basic probability theory for first part; ordinary differential equations, continuous probability for second. Numerous references. 1978 ed. 27 b/w figures.