Modeling the World in a Spreadsheet: Environmental Simulation on a Microcomputer

By Timothy J. Cartwright and Professor Timothy J. Cartwright

Book Overview

Until recently, simulation modeling was regarded as the domain of powerful computers and highly skilled programmers. But that is no longer the case. Thanks to the spreadsheet, simulation modeling is now accessible to anyone with a microcomputer: students and teachers, public officials, engineers and planners, and ordinary citizens concerned about the environment.In "Modeling the World in a Spreadsheet," Timothy Cartwright explains how to create models of different environmental phenomena -- ranging from natural processes such as the dispersion of water and air pollution to social processes such as housing affordability. He also describes models for some of the most exciting topics in current computer research, including artificial life, cellular decision-making, and chaos and fractals. Written for both experts and nonexpert, the book provides complete "recipes" for building and running the models in the most popular spreadsheet programs, such as Lotus 1-2-3, SuperCalc, Excel, Quatro, and others. A 3=" diskette containing Lotus or SuperCalc data files for all fourteen models may be ordered using a tear-out card that accompanies the

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801845963
• ISBN13: 9780801845963
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 432 Pages

Customer Reviews

The single best book on spreadsheet based models

This is one of best books I've read on the art and craft of building simulation models. It stands head and shoulders above the current crop of spreadsheet simulation books. Mr. Cartwright not only introduces the background to each topic, he provides the mathematics behind the approach prior to launching into the implementation into a spreadsheet. The modelling summary at the end of the book remains outstanding after more than...