Ebook: Introduction to Partial Differential Equations: A Computational Approach

Mathematics is playing an ever more important role in the physical and biological sciences, provoking a blurring of boundaries between scientific disciplines and a resurgence of interest in the modern as well as the cl- sical techniques of applied mathematics. This renewal of interest, both in research and teaching, has led to the establishment of the series: Texts in Applied Mathematics (TAM). The development of new courses is a natural consequence of a high level of excitement on the research frontier as newer techniques, such as numerical and symbolic computer systems, dynamical systems, and chaos mix with and reinforce the traditional methods of applied mathematics. Thus, the purpose of this textbook series is to meet the current and future needs of these advances and encourage the teaching of new courses. TAM will publish textbooks suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses, and will complement the Applied Ma- ematical Sciences (AMS) series, which will focus on advanced textbooks and research-level monographs. Preface "It is impossible to exaggerate the extent to which modern applied mathematics has been shaped and fueled by the g- eral availability of fast computers with large memories. Their impact on mathematics, both applied and pure, is comparable to the role of the telescopes in astronomy and microscopes in biology." — Peter Lax, Siam Rev. Vol. 31 No. 4 Congratulations! You have chosen to study partial differential equations.

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This book teaches the basic methods of partial differential equations and introduces related important ideas associated with the analysis of numerical methods for those partial differential equations. Standard topics such as separation of variables, Fourier analysis, maximum principles and energy estimates are included. Numerical methods are introduced in parallel to the classical theory. The numerical experiments are used to illustrate properties of differential equations and theory for finite difference approximations is developed. Numerical methods are included in the book to show the significance of computations in partial differential equations and to illustrate the strong interaction between mathematical theory and the development of numerical methods. Great care has been taken throughout the book to seek a sound balance between the analytical and numerical techniques. The authors present the material at an easy pace with well-organized exercises ranging fro! m the straightforward to the challenging. In addition, special projects are included, containing step by step hints and instructions, to help guide students in the correct way of approaching partial differential equations. The text would be suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in mathematics and engineering. Necessary prerequisites for this text are basic calculus and linear algebra. Some elementary knowledge of ordinary differential equations is also preferable.