The book is thus addressed to readers seeking a first acquaintance with problems of this type, either for a general view of the methodologies of solution or for specific information concerning mathematical and computational solution methods. It is also addressed to readers seeking to obtain some ideas of the different uses of computers in problem solving. We expect that most readers will have a previous or concurrent course in the elements of computer programming. However, many such courses aim at developing facility with certain specific intricacies of computer programming, rather than an appreciation of the overall power of the computer to aid in the treatment of classes of major problems of science and society. What we hope to develop particularly is skill in problem analysis.