In my first lecture on mathematical modeling, I introduce the five-step method of Mark Meerschaert, a clear and practical framework that will guide us through every modeling problem in this course. To illustrate its power, I work through a fun and relatable example: goggles falling from a ski lift. We start with simplifying assumptions to make the problem tractable, then gradually relax them to make the scenario more realistic—and more challenging—demonstrating how careful modeling balances simplicity, accuracy, and insight. Along the way, I show how this structured approach can turn even everyday phenomena into rich opportunities for mathematical exploration and problem-solving, highlighting the creativity and rigor at the heart of applied mathematics.
This course is taught by Jason Bramburger for Concordia University.
More information on the instructor: https://hybrid.concordia.ca/jbrambur/
Follow @jbramburger7 on Twitter for updates.
