Presentation Transcript

1. Computer Modelling & Simulation Mrs. Ghazaal Ali IGCSE ICT 2012/2013 Free Powerpoint Templates
2. Modelling The use of computers to represent a real-life situation A model is a mathematical representation of a real system to see how it will behave. Very complex and sometimes requires a mainframe computer to run efficiently Computer modeling allows one to test multiple scenarios and designs fairly quickly. A computer program can take an existing model and make minor or major modifications. These changes allow the designer to explore other options, try out new ideas, and test theories. Without a computer model, each concept would need to be built from scratch, requiring a significant amount of time, effort, and energy.
3. Examples of Modelling: Designing safer cars Running a business – to help predict future product sales based on past customer purchasing patterns Weather forecasting – page 22 Student Handbook Building bridges - Bridges have to be able to survive extreme weather conditions. A computer model of the bridge is created and tested in virtual storms. Bridges can also be tested to see if they can cope with heavy traffic. The virtual bridge can be loaded with a traffic jam of virtual trucks to check that it won’t collapse. Economics growth and recession Spread of diseases – a model could give healthcare professionals advance warning of the path an emerging disease might take and so might improve emergency responses and control.
4. Benefits and drawbacks of computer modelling Benefits Real thing may be too expensive to build Real thing requires too large a time scale Real thing would be too wasteful of materials Real thing is too vast a scale Easier to change data and variables Costs less to change data and variables The real thing may be impossible to access or create Real thing may be too dangerous You can test predictions more easily; a model can make predictions more accurately you can ask many whatif questions which would be impractical in real life Drawbacks Can never allow for all eventualities Difficult to exactly recreate a lifelike situation Hardware and software may be expensive Workers will need to be trained to use the system Time scale: the time allowed for or taken by a process or sequence of events: climatic changes on a timescale of thousands of years
5. Financial Modelling can see what will happen without spending a lot of money results can be seen in a shorter space of time you can ask many whatif questions which would be impractical in real life Easier to change data and variables You can test predictions more easily; a model can make predictions more accurately A computer model of a business can be used to help predict future profits.If the workings of a business can be modelled accurately, in particular the financial systems, then these models can be used to make predictions. The models are used to help answer ‘what if …?’ type questions, e.g. “What if we decrease the workforce by 15%? Will our profits increase or decrease?”Based on the answers that the model gives, the managers of the business can make decisions.
6. Simulations A simulation is a computer model of a real situation. To simulate a system is to produce a model of it which has the same characteristics. By studying the behaviour of the model it is possible to find out how the actual system would behave in similar circumstances. Computer simulations use computer models to also predict how a system will behave given a certain set of conditions. Again, they are created through the use of mathematical formulas
7. Example of Simulation An example of a simulation is a flight simulator. To the trainee pilot, the cockpit is just like the real thing. They look out the window of the simulator and they see a computer generated view. If they pull the joystick here and there, the simulator moves around just like the real thing – all the instruments produce realistic readings – just like the real thing. An operator controls the whole process and is able to create an incident of some sort, such as an engine catching fire. The pilot can be automatically assessed by the system.
8. Example of Simulation Scientific – allow scientist to predict the results of dangerous, difficult of expensive experiments before they are actually undertaken. Examples range from a teacher simulating a dangerous experiment in a school lab to a nuclear scientist simulating the effects of an atomic explosion.
9. Advantages Simulation Expensive prototypes don’t need to be built No equipment is damaged People are not put in danger Modifications can be made easily and retested quickly Time can be sped up/slowed down Same maneuver can be repeated several times in quick succession Various scenarios can be tried out in advance
10. Disadvantages Results depend entirely on how good the model is – the mathematical formulae and data used must be accurate, or the simulation may be faulty and the outcome incorrect and potentially dangerous Simulations can’t completely re-create real-life situations The equipment and software are expensive to purchase Developing a complex model takes many years of effort and so are very expensive to produce Operators may become too overconfident due to the fact that they are not in any physical danger and may make mistakes which could be catastrophic in the real situation
11. Uses and advantages of models and simulations Various scenarios can be tried out in advance Time scale. It is often faster to carry out a simulation than the real thing. A model is useful for examining the effects of something like population growth – we wouldn’t have to wait to see the population trends develop in real time. Preventing waste. Building a model is cheaper for testing purposes, such as modelling a supermarkets queuing pattern before installing several new checkouts (which may not all be needed) Safety. A model of a new road bridge can work out loading and stress levels before building the actual bridge.
12. Computers can be used to minmise danger Flight/pilot simulation/training Large scale chemical experiments Design of fairground rides Design of large buildings/bridges Traffic control Building fire simulation Car driving simulation Drug trials