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Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling. Teaching Contemporary Mathematics Conference January 25, 2013 Christine Belledin NC School of Science and Mathematics. Models where individuals in the environment are unique and autonomous Individuals vary in certain characteristics such as Location
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Introduction toAgent-Based Modeling Teaching Contemporary Mathematics Conference January 25, 2013 Christine Belledin NC School of Science and Mathematics
Models where individuals in the environment are unique and autonomous • Individuals vary in certain characteristics such as • Location • Ability or skill level • Resource reserves • Individuals interact with each other and their environment • Agents have only local knowledge and interactions • Each agent pursues its own objectives • Agents use adaptive behavior – they adjust their behavior based on their current state, their neighboring agents, or their environment What is Agent-Based Modeling?
ABM’s can be used to study system dynamics that arise from the way that individual agents interact with each other and their environments • ABM’s are across-level models • Examples of questions ABM’s have been used to investigate • How can we manage tropical forests in a sustainable way? • How do shorebird populations respond to loss of the mudflats they feed in, and how can this be addressed in a cost-effective way? • What causes the complex and seemingly unpredictable dynamics of a stock market? • How should electricity grids be developed in developing countries? Uses of Agent-Based Models
Based on work by Nobel laureate Thomas Schelling • Explores relationship between segregation patterns and tolerance of individuals for unlike neighbors Example 1: Segregation Model
First consider the original model where birds change their heading based on multiple neighbors. Example 3: Flocking Model
First consider the original model where birds change their heading based on multiple neighbors. Example 3: Flocking Model
Now consider a new version of the model where birds change their heading based only on their nearest neighbor. Example 3: Flocking Model
Now consider a new version of the model where birds change their heading based only on their nearest neighbor. Example 3: Flocking Model
Shows distribution of wealth over time as measured graphically by a class histogram and numerically by the Gini Index Example 4: Distribution of Wealth
The Gini Index Perfect equity: Gini Index = 0 Perfect inequity: Gini index = 1