Numerical Computation 1: Methods, Software, and Analysis

This book deals with various aspects of scientific numerical computing. No at­ tempt was made to be complete or encyclopedic. The successful solution of a numerical problem has many facets and consequently involves different fields of computer science. Computer numerics- as opposed to computer algebra- is thus based on applied mathematics, numerical analysis and numerical computation as well as on certain areas of computer science such as computer architecture and operating systems. Applied Mathemalies I I I Numerical Analysis Analysis, Algebra I I Numerical Computation Symbolic Computation I Operating Systems Computer Hardware Each chapter begins with sample situations taken from specific fields of appli­ cation. Abstract and general formulations of mathematical problems are then presented. Following this abstract level, a general discussion about principles and methods for the numerical solution of mathematical problems is presented. Relevant algorithms are developed and their efficiency and the accuracy of their results is assessed. It is then explained as to how they can be obtained in the form of numerical software. The reader is presented with various ways of applying the general methods and principles to particular classes of problems and approaches to extracting practically useful solutions with appropriately chosen numerical software are developed. Potential difficulties and obstacles are examined, and ways of avoiding them are discussed. The volume and diversity of all the available numerical software is tremendous.