modèles

Modèles (plural of modèle) is a flexible term used across disciplines to denote a simplified representation of reality, a standard or exemplar, or a pattern used to guide design and understanding. The word originates in Old French and is related to Italian modello and Latin modulus, reflecting its historical association with patterns and measures.

In science and mathematics, a model is a simplified representation of a system that can be studied, tested, or simulated. Models help describe relationships, predict outcomes, and explore how changing conditions affect results. They can be theoretical, mathematical, statistical, or computational, and they are built through abstraction, parameterization, and validation against data.

Statistical and machine-learning contexts emphasize models as explicit descriptions of relationships among variables. Examples include linear and generalized linear models, mixed models, and probabilistic models. These models are assessed by goodness-of-fit, predictive accuracy, and robustness to assumptions.

In computing and information science, models express structure and behavior of systems. Data models define how information is stored and related; domain models capture concepts within a particular area; architectural models describe software structure and interactions.

In everyday use, modèle can refer to a person who demonstrates clothing or products (a fashion model), or to an object used as a reference or prototype. Across domains, modeling remains a fundamental method for reasoning about complex real-world phenomena by focusing on essential features and patterns.