All who model mechanical systems are aware of the unique demands such activity places on conceptual abilities. We must characterize the manner in which numerous individual components interact, and select the appropriate physical laws applicable to each. No one tells us which variables are important. In complicated situations, a multitude of approaches are likely to be available. Thus, an important aspect of training students in this area is developing a level of experience in identifying the salient aspects of a system. They must learn to identify the pathways by which the basic parameters characterizing the inputs may be connected to the desired information representing the solution. In other words, a basic hallmark of the study of engineering dynamics is problem solving.

Some instructors believe that engineers learn by example. If that statement is true, it is only because an engineer is problem-oriented. One of the most prominent features of this textbook is its wealth of examples and homework problems. I have tried to select systems for this purpose that are recognizable as being relevant to engineering applications, yet sufficiently simplified to enable one to focus on the many facets entailed in implementing the associated theoretical concepts. One example of my approach may be found in the development of the method of Lagrangian multipliers. Some texts employ rather simple systems to illustrate this topic. In contrast, Example 3 in Chapter 7 employes Lagrangian multipliers to obtain the equations of motion for a rolling disk in arbitrary motion.