Mathematical Modelling of Zombies

The zombie apocalypse could occur at any time. The best weapon? Braaaiiinnnsss! The apocalypse survival kit includes such essentials as: mathematical models; differential equations; individual-based modelling; zombie swarming; statistical estimation; fuzzy decision-making; network theory; discrete-time models; spatial diffusion of the undead; and adaptive strategies for zombie attacks. Chapters also look at how modelling can advise government policy, how theoretical results can be communicated to a non-mathematical audience and how models can be formulated with only limited information. Robert Smith? also develops a mathematical model to track the viral spread of the story of his original math paper through the media. Oh, and it features a foreword by Andrew Cartmel, former script editor of Doctor Who, author, zombie fan and all-round famous person in science-fiction circles. By understanding how to combat zombies, readers will see an introduction to a wide variety of modelling techniques, which are applicable to other real-world issues (such as diseases and ecology), but which engage the imagination. The aim of this collection is to illustrate the power of mathematical modelling using the fun hook of zombies.