Ebook: An Introduction to Numerical Methods: A MATLAB Approach, 5th Edition

An Introduction to Numerical Methods: A MATLAB Approach, Fifth Edition continues to offer readers an accessible and practical introduction to numerical analysis. It presents a wide range of useful and important algorithms for scientific and engineering applications, using MATLAB to illustrate each numerical method with full details of the computed results so that the main steps are easily visualized and interpreted. This edition also includes new chapters on Approximation of Continuous Functions and Dealing with Large Sets of Data.

In each chapter, we have attempted to present clear examples in every section followed by a good number of related exercises at the end of each section with answers to some exercises. It is the purpose of this book to implement various important numerical methods on a personal computer and to provide not only a source of theoretical information on the methods covered but also to allow the student to easily interact with the computer and the algorithm for each method using MATLAB.

MATLAB (MATrix LABoratory) is a powerful interactive system for matrix-based computation designed for scientific and engineering use. It is good for many forms of numeric computation and visualization. MATLAB language is a high-level matrix/array language with control flow statements, functions, data structures, input/output, and object-oriented programming features. To fully use the power and computing capabilities of this software program in classrooms and laboratories by teachers and students in science and engineering, part of this text is intended to introduce the computational power of MATLAB to modern numerical methods.

MATLAB has several advantages. There are three major elements that have contributed to its immense popularity. First, it is extremely easy to use since data can be easily entered, especially for algorithms that are adaptable to a table format. This is an important feature because it allows students to experiment with many numerical problems in a short period of time. Second, it includes high-level commands for two-dimensional and three-dimensional data visualization and presentation graphics. Plots are easily obtained from within a script or in command mode. Third, the most evident power of a MATLAB is its speed of calculation. The program gives instantaneous feedback. Because of their popularity, MATLAB and other software such as Mathematica are now available in more university microcomputer laboratories.

Features:

Covers the most common numerical methods encountered in science and engineering
Illustrates the methods using MATLAB
Ideal as an undergraduate textbook for numerical analysis
Presents numerous examples and exercises, with selected answers provided at the back of the book
Accompanied by downloadable MATLAB code hosted at site