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Numerical Methods is a branch of applied mathematics focused on algorithms for finding approximate solutions to equations that cannot be solved exactly. Studying Numerical Methods enhances problem-solving skills, provides a foundation for using commercial software, and reinforces mathematical understanding. Key areas covered include roots of equations, systems of linear algebraic equations, optimization, curve fitting, integration, and differential equations.

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9 views

01_Handout_1(12)

Numerical Methods is a branch of applied mathematics focused on algorithms for finding approximate solutions to equations that cannot be solved exactly. Studying Numerical Methods enhances problem-solving skills, provides a foundation for using commercial software, and reinforces mathematical understanding. Key areas covered include roots of equations, systems of linear algebraic equations, optimization, curve fitting, integration, and differential equations.

Uploaded by

Ronald Telly Babasa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IT1903

What is "Numerical Methods"?

• It is a branch of applied mathematics, which studies the • Numerical methods construct successive
methods and algorithms to find approximate solutions approximations that converge to the exact solution of
of equations when exact solutions cannot be an equation or system of equations.
determined via algebraic methods.

Why Study Numerical Methods?

1. Enhance problem solving skills. 2. During your careers, you may often use commercially
available prepackage computer programs that involve
Numerical methods are extremely powerful problem- numerical methods.
solving tools capable of handling large systems of
equations, nonlinearities, and complicated geometries The use of commercially available prepackage
that are uncommon in engineering practice and that are computer programs is predicated on knowledge of the
often impossible to solve analytically. basic theory underlying the methods. Some of this
software may be inadequate, but with your capability,
you can redesign the program.

3. Numerical methods provide a vehicle for you to reinforce 4. Engineers engaged in research will use mathematical
your understanding of mathematics. solutions which cannot be obtained analytically in
closed form.
Numerical methods reduce higher mathematics to basic
arithmetic operations. In research and practice, determination of the effect of
changing parameters on the behavior of the system, i.
e. solving some problems many times under different
sets of inputs.

Mathematical Subject Areas Covered in Numerical Methods

The types of mathematical subject areas covered in the numerical methods are:

• Roots of Equations o These are similar in spirit to roots of equations, in


o These are very useful in engineering projects, the sense that they are concerned with values that
because in many occasions it is not possible to solve satisfy equations. However, in contrast to satisfying
the design equations analytically. a single equation, a set of values is sought that
o These are concerned with the value of a variable or simultaneously satisfies a set of linear algebraic
a parameter that satisfies a single non-linear equations. Such equations arise in a variety of
equation and are especially valuable in engineering problem contexts and in all disciplines of
design contexts where it is open impossible to engineering. In particular, they originate in the
explicitly solve design equations for parameters. mathematical modeling of large systems of
interconnected elements such as structures, electric
• Systems of Linear Algebraic Equations circuits and fluid network. However, they are also
o These are used for computing the set of values that encountered in other areas of numerical methods
simultaneously satisfy a system of algebraic such a curve fitting and differential equations.
equations.
o Applications: calculus of structures, electric circuits,
supply networks, fit of curves, etc.

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IT1903

• Optimization  Interpolation is used where the


o These involve determining the value x0 leading to objective is to determine
the optimal value of f(x) and can be subject to intermediate values between
constraints. In addition, it involves identifying relatively error-free data points.
maxima and minima. Such problems occur routinely (Such is usually the case for
in engineering design contexts and arise in a number tabulated information). For this
of other numerical methods. situation, the strategy is to fit a
curve directly through the data
• Curve Fitting points and use the curve to predict
o Fitting techniques can be divided into two the intermediate values.
groups:
 Regression is employed where there is a • Integration
significant degree of error associated with o It is the determination of the area under a curve.
the data. (Experimental results are often of It has many applications in engineering practice,
this kind). For these situations, the strategy ranging from the determination of the centroids
is to derive a single curve that represents the of oddly shaped objects to the calculations of
general trend of the data without necessarily total quantities based on sets of discrete
matching any individual points. measurements. In addition, its formulas play an
important role in the solution of differential
equations.

• Ordinary Differential Equations • Partial Differential Equations


o They are of great significance in engineering o They are used to characterize engineering
practice. This is because many physical laws are systems where the behavior of a physical
couched in terms of the rate of change of a quantity is couched in terms of the rate of
quantity rather than the magnitude of the change with respect to two (2) or more
quantity itself. (Examples range from population independent variables. Examples include the
forecasting models, rate of change of steady-state distribution of temperature on a
population, to the acceleration of failing body, headed plate or a time-variable temperature of
rate of change of velocity). a heated rod.
o There are two types of problems: Initial value o Two (2) fundamentally different approaches are
problems, and boundary value problems. In employed to solve these problems numerically.
addition, the computation of eigenvalues is These are the finite-difference methods that
covered. approximate the solution in a pointwise fashion
and the finite-element methods, which use the
piecewise approach.

References:
Cabero, J. & Acula, D. (2012). Numerical Methods. Cacho Hermanos Bldg., Pines cor. Union Streets, Mandaluyong City: Anvil
Publishing, Inc.
Chapra, S. & Canale, D. (2010). Numerical Methods for Engineers (6th ed.). McGraw-Hills Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of
the Americans, New York: McGraw-Hill.

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