Discrete-Event Simulation, Stochastic Modeling, Random Number Generation,
Central Limit Theorem, Pseudo-Random Variates, Terminating and Steady-State
Analysis, Future Event List Management, Process-Interaction Approach, Event-
Scheduling Approach, Queueing Theory, Probability Density Functions,
Conditional Probability, Independence, Inverse Transform Theorem, Monte Carlo
Methods, Exponential Distributions, System State Variables, Entity Attributes,
Simulation Clocks, Batch Means Analysis, Statistical Estimators, Mean Squared
Error, Confidence Intervals, Analytical vs. Numerical Methods, Industrial
Applications, Inventory and Supply Chain Optimization, Financial Portfolio
Simulation, Healthcare System Modeling, Hospital Patient Flow, Health
Informatics, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Techniques
Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
What are some characteristics of simulation models?
1. Discrete (vs. continuous)
2. Stochastic (vs. deterministic)
3. Dynamic (vs. static)
What is simulation?
Simulation is the imitation of a real-world process of system over time.
Simulation involves the generation of an artificial history to draw inferences concerning the
operating characteristics of the real system that is represented.
,What is simulation good for?
1. Describe / analyze real or conceptual system behavior.
2. Ask "what if" questions.
3. Aid in system design and optimization
4. Can simulate almost anything
What are the reasons to simulate?
1. Will the system accomplish its goals?
2. Current system won't accomplish its goals, now what?
3. Need incremental improvement.
4. Create a specification or action plan
5. Solve a problem, like a bottleneck.
6. Resolve disputes
7. Sell an idea
What are the advantages of simulation?
1. Can study models too complicated for analytical / numerical treatment
2. Study detailed relations that might be lost in the analytical or numerical treatment
3. Use as a basis for experimental studies of systems
4. Use to check results and give credibility to conclusions obtained by other methods.
5. Reduce design blunders
6. Really nice demo method
7. (sometimes) very easy
, What are the disadvantages of simulation?
1. Sometimes not so easy
2. Sometimes very time consuming / costly
3. Simulations give "random" output (and lots of misinterpretation of results is possible)
4. To do a certain problem, better methods than simulation may exist
We are interested in modeling the arrival and service process at the local McBurger Queen
burger joint. Customers come in every once in a while, stand in line, eventually get served, and
off they go. Generally speaking, what kind of model are we talking about here? (More than one
answer below may be right.)
A) Discrete
B) Continuous
C) Stochastic
D) Deterministic
(a) (because events such as arrivals and service completions only happen once in a while, as
opposed to continuously); and (c) (because customer arrival times, service times, shift changes,
etc., are all random).
Which of the following can be regarded as advantages of simulation? (More than one answer
below may be right.)
A) Simulation enables you to study models too complicated for analytical or numerical
treatment.
Central Limit Theorem, Pseudo-Random Variates, Terminating and Steady-State
Analysis, Future Event List Management, Process-Interaction Approach, Event-
Scheduling Approach, Queueing Theory, Probability Density Functions,
Conditional Probability, Independence, Inverse Transform Theorem, Monte Carlo
Methods, Exponential Distributions, System State Variables, Entity Attributes,
Simulation Clocks, Batch Means Analysis, Statistical Estimators, Mean Squared
Error, Confidence Intervals, Analytical vs. Numerical Methods, Industrial
Applications, Inventory and Supply Chain Optimization, Financial Portfolio
Simulation, Healthcare System Modeling, Hospital Patient Flow, Health
Informatics, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Techniques
Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
What are some characteristics of simulation models?
1. Discrete (vs. continuous)
2. Stochastic (vs. deterministic)
3. Dynamic (vs. static)
What is simulation?
Simulation is the imitation of a real-world process of system over time.
Simulation involves the generation of an artificial history to draw inferences concerning the
operating characteristics of the real system that is represented.
,What is simulation good for?
1. Describe / analyze real or conceptual system behavior.
2. Ask "what if" questions.
3. Aid in system design and optimization
4. Can simulate almost anything
What are the reasons to simulate?
1. Will the system accomplish its goals?
2. Current system won't accomplish its goals, now what?
3. Need incremental improvement.
4. Create a specification or action plan
5. Solve a problem, like a bottleneck.
6. Resolve disputes
7. Sell an idea
What are the advantages of simulation?
1. Can study models too complicated for analytical / numerical treatment
2. Study detailed relations that might be lost in the analytical or numerical treatment
3. Use as a basis for experimental studies of systems
4. Use to check results and give credibility to conclusions obtained by other methods.
5. Reduce design blunders
6. Really nice demo method
7. (sometimes) very easy
, What are the disadvantages of simulation?
1. Sometimes not so easy
2. Sometimes very time consuming / costly
3. Simulations give "random" output (and lots of misinterpretation of results is possible)
4. To do a certain problem, better methods than simulation may exist
We are interested in modeling the arrival and service process at the local McBurger Queen
burger joint. Customers come in every once in a while, stand in line, eventually get served, and
off they go. Generally speaking, what kind of model are we talking about here? (More than one
answer below may be right.)
A) Discrete
B) Continuous
C) Stochastic
D) Deterministic
(a) (because events such as arrivals and service completions only happen once in a while, as
opposed to continuously); and (c) (because customer arrival times, service times, shift changes,
etc., are all random).
Which of the following can be regarded as advantages of simulation? (More than one answer
below may be right.)
A) Simulation enables you to study models too complicated for analytical or numerical
treatment.
