This textbook provides a step-by-step approach to numerical methods in engineering modelling. The authors provide a consistent treatment of the topic, from the ground up, to reinforce for students that numerical methods are a set of mathematical modelling tools which allow engineers to represent real-world systems and compute features of these systems with a predictable error rate. Each method presented addresses a specific type of problem, namely root-finding, optimization, integral, derivative, initial value problem, or boundary value problem, and each one encompasses a set of algorithms to solve the problem given some information and to a known error bound. The authors demonstrate that after developing a proper model and understanding of the engineering situation they are working on, engineers can break down a model into a set of specific mathematical problems, and then implement the appropriate numerical methods to solve these problems.

Uses a "building-block" approach, starting with simpler mathematical tools and using them to develop more and more complex models and methods;
Integrates modelling, error measuring, and programming, with numerical methods, in order to give an engineering emphasis to an otherwise mathematical topic;
Demonstrates not only how the math and algorithms work but also how they can be used in engineering practice.

Autorentext

Richard Khoury received his Bachelor's Degree and his Master's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Laval University (Québec City, QC) in 2002 and 2004 respectively, and his Doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON) in 2007. Since August 2008, he is a faculty member in the Department of Software Engineering at Lakehead University. Dr. Khoury's primary area of research is natural language processing, but his research interests also include data mining, knowledge management, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Inhalt

Modelling and Errors.- Numerical Representation.- Iteration.- Linear Algebra.- Taylor Series.- Interpolation, Regression, and Extrapolation.- Bracketing.- Root Finding.- Optimization.- Differentiation.- Integration.- Initial Value Problems.- Boundary Value Problems.