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Systems Modeling • The mathematical model of a system component embodies its behavior as
Systems Modeling and Its Processes an independent entity, showing how it is interconnected with the other
• A model depicts a conceptual f ramework to describe a system and can be components to f orm a system successf ully. It implies that various
viewed as an abstraction of an actual or a physical f acsimile of a system or components can be removed either literally or conceptually and studied in
a situation. isolation to establish a model of their characteristics. Analysts can go f ar in
breaking down systems, searching f or the building blocks that would be
Commonly used abstracted model enough to develop a model. (Chaturvedi, 2010).
o Logical model – It is a model that represents all the plausible
requirements of a system. It can be combined with or independent f rom Characteristics of A Model
a physical model. There are numerous ways to describe the word model, as well as the process of
o Mathematical model – It is a mathematical description of properties and modeling. However, in terms of system specif ications, modeling has a strong
interactions in a system. Its development depends on the system advantage of having a sound mathematical f oundation and def initive semantics
boundaries, components, interactions, type of analysis that will be that all stakeholders can understand (Zeigler, Muzy & Kof man, 2019).
perf ormed, and the assumption that will be considered during the
development process. Model Type
Descriptive
Ambiguity
Manipulation Implementation Primary
Capability Capability Capability Function
Descriptive
The mathematical model usually describes a system using variables. Very explanations
Variables can be real numbers, integers, Boolean values, strings, or English Text Good None Limited
ambiguous and
practically anything that can represent a system's specif ic property, such directions
as signals, timing data, counters, and event occurrences. Design,
Drawings
Not assembly,
and Block Good None Good
ambiguous and
According to how much prior inf ormation is available f or the system, Diagrams
construction
mathematical modeling problems are of ten classif ied as white-box or Logical Flow
black-box models. A white-box model encompasses systems where all Charts and
Fair
Not
None Good
Computer
Decision ambiguous programming
necessary inf ormation is available, and a black-box model is associated Tables
with systems without prior inf ormation available. However, in reality, Expresses
most systems f all between the two categories. Thus, this concept is only Curves,
Not relationships
Tables, and Fair Good None
applicable as an intuitive guide approach (Chaturvedi, 2010). Monographs
ambiguous between few
variables
Problem
• Models are practically used to mimic the behavior of a system under dif f erent Mathematical
Poor
Not
Excellent Good solving and
operating conditions. The approximation is inevitable in order to develop a Models ambiguous
optimization
more robust and simpler model.
• Models developed based on a system theory paradigm bear a resemblance Table 1. Characteristics of different types of models.
to concepts of object-oriented programming since both objects and system Source: Modeling and Simulation of Systems Using MATLAB and Simulink, 2010. p 38
models share a concept of internal state (Zeigler, Muzy & Kof man, 2019).
Classifications of Models (Chaturvedi, 2010)
• Modeling pertains to the process of abstraction of an actual system, either
Physical vs. Abstract Model
existing or f or development. The purpose of modeling is to depict internal
o Physical models are easy to understand physical replicas, of ten on a
processes and present as usef ul to science and engineering studies.
reduced scale. Example: Tabletop scale models
• Various input requirements and modeling methodology may be used in
systems modeling, depending upon the purpose and an analyst's viewpoint.

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o Abstract models represent systems in terms of logical or quantitative o In a continuous system model, the system's signif icant activities or
relationships that are manipulated to see specif ic results. It is composed events complete smoothly without any delay. Note that when a
of symbols that can be in a written language f orm or a thought process. continuous system is modeled mathematically, its variables or
Example: Flow charts components representing the attributes are controlled by continuous
functions (Tutorialspoint, n.d.).
Mathematical vs. Descriptive Model o In a discrete system model, the changes in the system state are
o A mathematical model is a subclassif ication of an abstract model. This discontinuous. Note that the model used in a discrete system simulation
type of model encompasses mathematical symbols. Example: The has a set of numbers representing the system state called the state
Pythagorean Theorem descriptor (Tutorialspoint, n.d.).
o A descriptive model practically describes a system, including its entities
and its relationship to the environment. It sometimes serves as a way to Illustrations of some system models
explore properties data or inf ormation. Example: Model f or prof iling Example 1:
Google Play

Static vs. Dynamic Model

o Static models represent systems at a specif ic time or systems wherein
time simply plays no role. Example: Floor plans
o Dynamic models represent systems as it evolves over time. This type of
model deals with time-varying interactions. Example: Conveyor system
model of a f actory

Steady State vs. Transient Model Figure 1. (A) Continuous and (B) Discrete function models
o A steady-state model is consistent with time, wherein the behavior in Source: Modeling and Simulation of Systems Using MATLAB and Simulink, 2010. p 38
one specif ic time is the same as any other period.
o A transient model describes a system with the behavior that changes (A): A model of traf f ic f low on a f reeway, wherein the characteristics and
over time or exhibits growth as it is a one-time phenomenon that cannot movement of all the vehicles are aggregated. It can be described by dif ferential
recur. equations in a continuous model.
(B): A model of traf f ic f low on a f reeway, wherein the characteristics and
Deterministic vs. Stochastic Models movement of individual vehicles are signif icant.
o Deterministic models do not contain any probabilistic component. In this
type of model, the output is determined once the set of input quantities Example 2:
and relationships has been specif ied. Example: A complex dif ferential A tank is f ull of a solution of a material A with a concentration C. A solution of
equations describing a chemical reaction the same material at concentration C0 is f lowing into the tank at f low rate F0, and
o Stochastic models produce an output that is random and must only be a solution is f lowing out of the tank at rate F1, as shown in Figure 2
treated as an estimate of the true characteristics of the model. Example:
An inventory systems model

Continuous vs. Discrete Models

o Whether to use a discrete or continuous model f or a particular system
depends on the specif ic objectives of the study.

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Figure 2. A static model of a hydraulic tank system.

Source: Modeling and Simulation of Systems Using MATLAB and Simulink, 2010. p 44 Figure 4. The MATLAB® program generates the dynamic response of the hydraulic tank system.
Source: Modeling and Simulation of Systems Using MATLAB and Simulink, 2010. p 47
To determine the dynamic response to a step-change in the inlet concentration
C0, a set of assumptions, data, and f undamental principles (i.e., the law of
conservation of energy and the component terminal equation) must be provided,
used, and applied in the mathematical modeling of the given scenario.

The other equivalent models of the given scenario can be generated through
manual mathematical computation or modeling and simulation applications,
such as the MATLAB® program. References:
Chaturvedi, D. (2010). Modeling and simulation of systems using MATLAB and Simulink. CRC Press – Taylor
& Francis Group, LLC
Dubois, G. (2018). Modeling and simulation challenges and best practices for industry. CRC Press – Taylor &
Francis Group, LLC
Sokolowski, J. & Bank, C. (2009). Principles of modeling and simulation a multidisciplinary approach. John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Tutorialspoint. (n.d.). Discrete System Simulation. Retrieve from
Figure 3. The mathematical model of the hydraulic tank system.
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/modelling_and_simulation/modelling_and_simulation_discrete_syst
em_simulation.htm on February 4, 2021
Tutorialspoint. (n.d.). Modelling & Simulation – Continuous. Retrieved from
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/modelling_and_simulation/modelling_and_simulation_continuous_s
imulation.htm on February 4, 2021
Zeigler, B., Muzy, A. & Kofman, E. (2019). Theory of modeling and simulation discrete event and iterative
system computational foundations (3 rd ed.). Academic Press – Elsevier Inc.

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