These handbooks are your companion as you learn about the math modeling process. They are a friendly and engaging way to figure out how to use math to solve problems in the real world. Handbooks include examples and insightful commentary.
Math Modeling: Getting Started and Getting Solutions

Math modeling is a process that uses mathematics to represent, analyze, make predictions or otherwise provide insight into real-world phenomena. This handbook walks through the process using a variety of examples to answer wide-ranging questions.
Contents: Defining the Problem Statement; Making Assumptions; Defining Variables; Building Solutions; Analysis and Model Assessment; Putting it All Together.
If you’re viewing online, you should use the first version (full color/ink saturation). If you’re printing the handbook, we recommend using the second version (mostly black and white/less ink saturation).
- View PDFs (color)
- View PDFs (black and white)
Printed Handbook from the SIAM Bookstore ($15)
Using any parts of this handbook and need to cite it? How to cite:
Math Modeling: Getting Started and Getting Solutions, K. M. Bliss, K. R. Fowler, and B. J. Galluzzo, SIAM, Philadelphia, 2014.
Math Modeling: Computing and Communicating

This handbook is designed to take you from basic graphing calculator or spreadsheet experience to programming basics, working with large data sets, and visualization techniques. Get into technical computing using software platforms and coding.
Contents: Statistics, Visualization, Computations; Programming and Simulation; Choosing Your Teach Tool.
If you’re viewing online, you should use the first version (full color/ink saturation). If you’re printing the handbook, we recommend using the second version (mostly black and white/less ink saturation).
- View PDFs
Printed Handbook from the SIAM Bookstore ($15)
Using any parts of this handbook and need to cite it? How to cite:
Math Modeling: Getting Started and Getting Solutions, K. M. Bliss, K. R. Fowler, and B. J. Galluzzo, SIAM, Philadelphia, 2014.
Inspired by the Handbook
Math Modeling: Getting Started and Getting Solutions
In this video, the handbook authors give a brief overview of the modeling process so you can get an idea what you might see in the handbook!