Teaching mathematical modelling: demonstrating enrichment and elaboration

This paper uses a series of models to illustrate one of the fundamental processes of model building – that of enrichment and elaboration. The paper describes how a problem context is given which allows a series of models to be developed from a simple initial model using a queuing theory framework. The process encourages students to think about the assumptions being made within their models and how these assumptions may be relaxed to produce an enriched model.