The mathematics of scales
C. David Levermore
Department of Mathematics
University of Arizona
Science is often faced with describing phenomena that can be modeled mathematically on a variety of scales. For example, gases can be modeled as atoms or as a continuum, epidemics by individuals or populations. The mathematics of scales strives to understand the connections between such models. A number of examples will be presented of successes (few) and failures (many). More questions will be raised than answered.

