Features an authentic and engaging approach to mathematical modeling driven by real-world applications. With a focus on mathematical models based on current and relevant data, Models for Life: An Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Modeling with Microsoft® Office Excel® guides readers in the solution of practical problems through both mathematical and Excel techniques. The book begins with a step-by-step introduction to discrete dynamical systems, which are mathematical models that describe how a quantity changes from one point in time to the next. Readers will explore the process, language, and notation required for constructing such models as well as their implementation in Excel. Topics include single-compartment models in contexts like population growth, personal finance, and body weight, leading into more advanced multi-compartment models via applications in various fields, including military combat, infectious disease epidemics, and ranking methods. The text features a modular organization that allows readers to explore chapters in any order, as well as numerous practical examples and exercises enabling personalized application of the presented models using one’s own data.