Topic 12.1 Simulation modelling Flashcards
Uses for simulation modelling (4)
Weather forecasting
Car crash analysis
Flight simulator
Financial forecasting
Advantages of simulations (4)
Cheaper
Safer
It can save time
It is possible to experience lots more situations
Disadvantages of simulations (3)
The difference between simulations and reality
The accuracy of the rules and variables
Some situations are hard to model
Modelling
It means making calculations which may be used to mimic a real-life situation
Benefits of using spreadsheet software (4)
Automatic re-calculations
Easy to produce graphs and charts
Easy to import data from other sources
Can perform ‘what ifs’ to model different situations
Weather simulation process
Data is collected
Send to an office
It is processed
Predicts what the weather will be like
Use of financial forecasting
The government can predict what will happen if they changed some factors
Advantages of financial forecasting (2)
Can save money instead of wasting money on projects which aren’t worth it
Can help companies to plan for the financial crisis
Disadvantages of financial forecasting (2)
Too many variables to be 100% accurate
Some situations are hard to model
Advantages of car crash analysis (2)
Cheaper to simulate than crash a car
Safer as no one is hurt
Disadvantages of car crash analysis (1)
Powerful and expensive computer hardware is needed to run the simulations
Advantages of weather prediction (2)
Helps families plan holidays
Helps farmers to plan work
Disadvantages of weather prediction (2)
Not always 100% accurate
A lot of equations need to make the prediction
Examples of a business using a spreadsheet
Automatic recalculation of wages if rates change
Can do what if calculations for options on suppliers
Relative referencing
When a cell is used in a formula and the formula is copied to a new address, the cell address changes to take account of the formula’s new position
