Numerical Methods Using Matlab (4th Edition)

Book Description

This book provides a fundamental introduction to numerical analysis. This book covers numerous topics including Interpolation and Polynomial Approximation, Curve Fitting, Numerical Differentiation, Numerical Integration, and Numerical Optimization. For engineering and computer science fields.

Customer Reviews:

Satisfactory, but with flaws.......2006-08-01

The Math Part:
I have to use this as the main text for a college math class, and while it may be a good reference book or engineering text, I don't think it's the best choice for a math course. It's written in such a way that you can flip to the section/topic you need and immediately get the main points and the formulas. But the authors don't necessarily teach their materials in the most intuitive way and frankly, don't seem that concerned with intuition at all. This makes the book quite sufficient as reference for your computations in your bioinformatics research project and such, but for a math text I would be more interested in really owning the intuition and tricky ideas so I can generalize to new cases or derive the formulas, rather than discovering 20 gazillion technical details/equations that will magically spew out an answer for who knows what reason. See the bajillion formulas on cubic splines for what I mean. Or see how instead of simple example + intuition, the authors chose to do 20 pages demonstrating Gaussian elimination.

The Matlab Part:
I learned Matlab in a few weeks from "Mastering MATLAB 7" and playing around with it on my own. It's very easy to just use the built-in manual or find all kinds of solutions to common problems using Google. There's really nothing wrong or tedious with picking up Matlab knowledge "from the manuals, man pages, the Internet, etc..." as one reviewer complained, because a language is necessarily something you pick up gradually and continually. Personally I think the reviewer was misleading in implying that this book does a good job teaching beginners Matlab. There's 1-2 programs per section, and no explanations in terms of the programming. Honestly, what are the chances that these programs will just drop into your lap and fit perfectly whatever application it is that you presumably need these numerical methods for? You will need to tailor the programs to your objectives or at least, understand WHY and HOW they work, in order to really take advantage of them, and that is outside the scope of this book. What this book really offers are the algorithms behind the programs, and not the programs themselves that are useful. In my opinion the Matlab programs were just a selling point, that's all.

There were also lots of little things that I personally just did not like about the book, where I felt the authors cut corners in their explanations or didn't phrase certain things in the best ways or used slightly funky notation or were not organized enough. Not a great math book in my opinion. But objectively speaking most people probably don't mind those kinds of details and aren't necessarily looking for a math book. So with that in mind I give it a 4.

A decent textbook without unnecessary clutter.......2006-02-05

This book goes straight to the heart of the numerical methods without unnecessary distracting fancy pictures and layout that some numerical methods textbook for engineers have. Also, the book has enough Matlab programs for a reader/student to understand essentials of Matlab programming and then tweak/modify the programs for further applications.

I wish author incorporates numerical methods for nonlinear ODE boundary value problems and eigenvalue problems related to ODE in the future edition.

Overall, it is an excellent introductory numerical methods textbook for science and engineering students. After grasping the fundamentals in this textbook, student/reader will tend to be more confident and enthusiastic while studying Numerical Analysis.

Much needed book.......2005-03-26

Whether you are an instructor for an Engineering class, Life Sciences, Statistics, Mathematics, or simply want to add practical mathematical analysis and programming, this book is the book you should use. I have been using Matlab for a number of years, and I had to pick up my Matlab knowledge from the manuals, man pages, the Internet, etc... and finding out the ins and outs of how to do something was not always an easy task nor accurate. Mathews and Fink's book put all you need to know about the most popular Mathematical methods at your finger tips. The book is tailored such that it can be used alone in a Mathematics course, or as reference in an Engineering course. One field of study that has enjoyed the power and flexibility of Matlab in the recent years is Computational Biology or Bioinformatics. Even though there are plenty of applications popping up here and there for this area of research, the area is still very much untapped and algorithms need to be developed for it as we go forward. Matlab is the best way to try out these new or improved algorithms, and use some of the available tools out there to generate C source code from your Matlab files. This method of algorithms development could save you tons of time, since Matlab makes numerical programming very simple.

The authors start with the basics in Numerical Methods; assuming that this book will be used as the primary text book in the course. A very good assumption, and the instructors who choose otherwise, can always skip the preliminaries. The context of text aims to provide a good balance of theory and application. One way that the authors try to keep this balance is to talk about "error" rate for the algorithms in question. The students are thought the limitations of Matlab along with the strengths of the software, and error analysis is one way to show the students that the results of numerical analysis is Matlab is not perfect, and more importantly why. This error analysis is done for every major algorithm and method presented in the text, and a number of methodologies are presented to help the student in figuring out this rate.

Authors start the main contents of the book with a representation of basic Linear Systems followed by a more complicated topic of Polynomial Approximation. Taylor Series and Lagrange Approximations are thoroughly covered in theory followed by examples that are solved by "hand" and by Matlab. The examples are complete, and can even be used, at least to start with, for the problem sets at the end of the chapter. As one would guess, curve fitting is the next topic of discussion. As you know, numerical techniques in science and engineering often requires curve fitting of experimental data. Starting with simple techniques of Least-Squares Lines, non-Linear Least-Square Methods and ending with the four different flavors of Spline Functions. The Matlab examples becomes more advanced as the topic progresses, and more and more examples are given as the topics get more complicated as well.

One can not learn Numerical Methods without a deep understanding of Numerical Differentiation and Numerical Integrations. Numerical methods for Differentiation are used to solve boundary value problems in ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations. Heat Transfer, Semiconductor Physics and Device Modeling, an Physical modeling of Molecules are just some of the examples that use these numerical differentiation techniques to solve problems. As is the case with the book, the authors start talking the theory behind how numerical differentiation works, and then, they go into the Matlab representation of the problem. Various approximation methods are presented, and error rate for each approximation method is also calculated in detail - both by hand and using Matlab.
Numerical Integration is a bit more difficult, as there are a number of ways to calculate the area under a curve. The authors present four numerical methods in detail: quadrature, composite trapezoidal, adaptive quadrature and Gauss-Legendre Integration. Each theory is followed by an example Matlab programs. The authors wrap up the text by talking about differential equations and partials differential equations. These two topics are difficult without using numerical methods, and it is even harder to follow the numerical theory of these topics. The authors take a slightly different approach to these topics. They start with examples from the get go. Instead of laying down the theory, they start each chapter with relevant examples from simple to more complex and abstract. Wave Equations and Heat Transfer equations are well known applications of PDE that are presented in detail. Eigenvalues, eigenvectors and the Jacodi's Meothod wrap up this text by j. H. Mathews and K. D. Fink.

I would recommend this book to be used for second year Mathematics, Physical Sciences or Engineering students. A course in Numerical Methods would benefit greatly from this book. Other students can certainly use this text to assist them with modeling, simulation and statistical problems in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and various Applied Chemistry and Physics courses.

Deceptive Title.......2004-08-09

This book was a waste of time for me. It's a decent numerical methods book but it's basically a textbook in Numerical Methods (which I already have).

Sprinkling a few lines of Matlab code in does not make it a Matlab book.

Good introduction to numercal algorithms.......2000-07-13

The book covers most of the traditional methods. It is a good choice for learning numerical methods. The book has plenty of examples and are very easy to follow. I would recommend some background on calculus and some knoledge about matlab

Numerical Methods in Finance: A MATLAB-Based Introduction

Average customer rating:

Too much introductive

Numerical Methods in Finance: A MATLAB-Based Introduction
Paolo Brandimarte
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471396869

Book Description

Balanced coverage of the methodology and theory of numerical methods in finance

Numerical Methods in Finance bridges the gap between financial theory and computational practice while helping students and practitioners exploit MATLAB for financial applications.

Paolo Brandimarte covers the basics of finance and numerical analysis and provides background material that suits the needs of students from both financial engineering and economics perspectives. Classical numerical analysis methods; optimization, including less familiar topics such as stochastic and integer programming; simulation, including low discrepancy sequences; and partial differential equations are covered in detail. Extensive illustrative examples of the application of all of these methodologies are also provided.

The text is primarily focused on MATLAB-based application, but also includes descriptions of other readily available toolboxes that are relevant to finance. Helpful appendices on the basics of MATLAB and probability theory round out this balanced coverage. Accessible for students-yet still a useful reference for practitioners-Numerical Methods in Finance offers an expert introduction to powerful tools in finance.

Download Description

This book integrates the topics of numerical methods, financial problem solving, and MATLAB programming into one balanced treatment. Its tutorial approach features MATLAB examples as a means of illustrating the concepts in practical, every day financial problems.

Customer Reviews:

Too much introductive.......2003-04-08

Since there is few books on financial application of Matlab, I would say that Mr. Brandimarte has done a good pretty good job. I liked especially the fact that the book covers many topics (bond pricing, derivatives, optimization), however, even if the title says "an introduction", it is still too much introductive and you don't get a grip on the amazing capabilities of Matlab. This book is suitable for people discovering Matlab and Finance at the same time.

Mastering Mathematica, Second Edition: Programming Methods and Applications

Average customer rating:

A Review for Programmers, by a Programmer

Mastering Mathematica, Second Edition: Programming Methods and Applications
John W. Gray
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0122961056

Book Description

This new edition of Mastering Mathematica focuses on using Mathematica as a programming language, because programming in Mathematica is the best way to use the software to its fullest capacity. The book covers functional programming, imperative programming, rewrite programming, and object-oriented programming. It also addresses the use of Mathematica as a symbolic manipulator and a general tool for knowledge representation.

* Focus on four different types of programming styles with Mathematica: functional programming, rewrite (or rule-based) programmng, imperative (or procedural) programming, and object-oriented programming, with many examples of each style
* Compatible with Mathematica 3.0 and its programming language
* Chapters on graphics programming show how to make the most of the considerable graphics capabilities of Mathematica
* Includes coverage of programming needed for creation of Mathematica packages that allow a user to extend the language as needed for particular uses
* Applications include:
* Polya pattern analysis
* Critical points of functions
* Object-oriented graph theory
* Minimal surfaces
* Mathematica-Enhanced CD-ROM Enclosed
* Complete text in active Mathematica Notebook files, enhanced for v3.0; Allows you to evaluate complex examples without retyping; Extensive use of the v3.0 math typesetting system
* Hyperlink index and table of contents
* Instant access to any chapter or topic
* Index is automatically merged with the main Mathematica help system forming a master index of all the user's Mathematica related information; Quickly see listings on a given topic from The Mathematica Book, Mastering Mathematica, the Guide to Standard Packages, or any other Help Browswer aware books you have installed

Customer Reviews:

A Review for Programmers, by a Programmer.......1999-07-25

7.24.99 SJW *****

This is something of a book review, but also a commentary on the Mathematica package. My background is a recent MS in Computer Science. My interest in Mathematica is as a thinking tool for Programmer/Analysts or R&D Prototypers.

John Gray's book comes with a CD-ROM including the entire text of the book (the book was produced using Mathematica) as well as help files which can easily be integrated into the resources of the Mathematica Help Browser.

The book is well laid out (see the Table of Contents at amazon.com) topically, starting with very basic usage of the math abilities, and the user interface, then moving on to programming styles using Mathematica and methods of representing information in Mathematica. (All major commands in the Mathematica package are searchable, topical resources are available via documentation chapters on that topic, and explanatory text is hyperlinked in html format.)

The book's style is absolutely functional, and is targeted at users who have at least a threshhold knowledge of modern programming. Much of the material somewhat assumes that the reader has read enough using the Help Browswer with its on-line manual to be able to operate the notebook interface. Examples are given for almost every topic (the examples are executable in Mathematica, as the text of the book is in the form of a Mathematica notebook), although the specifics of each example are not necessarily explained.

As a programmer, the most amazing revelation of Gray's book is the degree to which the Mathematica package is programmable. Of course, procedural commands are built in to allow the coding of procedural algorithms (these commands have the form of generic pseudocode commands, or "near-C"). But Gray gives examples of programming using functions (recursion is allowed), as well as instructions re o-o and constraint (rule-based) styles of programming. (Note that Mathematica has built in pattern matching notations--especially useful for rule-based programming.)

In short, not only is Mathematica a completely integrated symbolic/numeric advanced math utility with integrated graphics and statistical packages, but it also has its own virtual operating system (full file i/o controls), and it allows the user to write rule-based programs (such as LISP or Prolog interpreters) which have full access to all of the built in Mathematica abilities, and to custom compiled components which the user has written.

Because all Mathematica's abilities are integrated, data can easily be displayed graphically, allowing visual debugging of difficult algorithms, or analysis (or reports). Gray provides a few examples of the visual display of algorithms.

Book Description

While many authors cover the theory of finite element modeling, this is the only book available that incorporates ANSYS as an integral part of its content. Moaveni presents the theory of finite element analysis, explores its application as a design/modeling tool, and explains in detail how to use ANSYS intelligently and effectively. Now uses Excel in solving simple finite element problems. Adds a significant number of new problems. Incorporates the latest version of ANSYS throughout. A useful reference for mechanical, civil and environmental engineers.

Customer Reviews:

Finite Element Analysis: Theory and Applications with ANSYS.......2007-05-06

This is a basis book for Finite Element Analysis. Also buy a book in Amazon is a fantastic guarantee of service.

Worst Book Ever!!!.......2007-05-03

We are at chapter 13 now and I now know that the book do not provide good fundamentals nor details to understand what FEA is all about. Tutorials are useless because they do not explain anything what's going on. You just must figure it out yourself. This is OK for secondary book. But don't expect to understand it without any other help. Choppy steps for the solution in the examples!

I love this book!.......2006-07-06

I can't imagine my learning process of FEA without this book. It's really good and comprenhensive. It is nice to read and it provides clear explanations to difficult topics. I believe this is a must have!

Fantastic intro to FEA.......2005-09-08

This book provides a great intro to FEA in general befor eit actually starts ANSYS Tutorial. The book is strictly for beginners .It contains very less details on Batch files ,nonlinear problems etc.

Good intro, but does not go far enough.......2000-08-09

I bought this book hoping it would make my job of developing a finite element model using ANSYS easier. But I did not learn much of anything new from this book. I was already familiar with finite element theory and also took the intro to ansys course offered by ANSYS. I had hoped that this book would go beyond what was offered by these two sources, but sadly it does not. Still, for the beginner who knows next to nothing of f.e. methods and ANSYS this is probably helpful.

Computational Mathematics: Models, Methods, and Analysis with MATLAB and MPI

Average customer rating:

Not really a general methods book

Computational Mathematics: Models, Methods, and Analysis with MATLAB and MPI
Robert E. White
Manufacturer: Chapman & Hall/CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1584883642

Book Description

Computational Mathematics: Models, Methods, and Analysis with MATLAB and MPI explores and illustrates this process. Each section of the first six chapters is motivated by a specific application. The author applies a model, selects a numerical method, implements computer simulations, and assesses the ensuing results. These chapters include an abundance of MATLAB code. By studying the code instead of using it as a "black box, " you take the first step toward more sophisticated numerical modeling. The last four chapters focus on multiprocessing algorithms implemented using message passing interface (MPI). These chapters include Fortran 9x codes that illustrate the basic MPI subroutines and revisit the applications of the previous chapters from a parallel implementation perspective. All of the codes are available for download from www4.ncsu.edu./~white. This book is not just about math, not just about computing, and not just about applications, but about all three--in other words, computational science. Whether used as an undergraduate textbook, for self-study, or for reference, it builds the foundation you need to make numerical modeling and simulation integral parts of your investigational toolbox.

Customer Reviews:

Not really a general methods book.......2006-07-26

I picked up this book to see if it would be useful in a numerical methods course, but I found that it was much too specific - This is a book on numerical methods for PDEs, and not a general methods text. If you are interested in PDE models, then this might be a useful book for you- The authors do include some interesting applications.

Spectral Methods in MATLAB (Software, Environments, Tools)

Average customer rating:

setting a precedent in numerical methods books
Loaded with errors, author defensive and arrogant
A useful introduction to spectral methods

Spectral Methods in MATLAB (Software, Environments, Tools)
Lloyd N. Trefethen
Manufacturer: SIAM: Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0898714656

Book Description

This is the only book on spectral methods built around MATLAB programs. Along with finite differences and finite elements, spectral methods are one of the three main technologies for solving partial differential equations on computers. Since spectral methods involve significant linear algebra and graphics they are very suitable for the high level programming of MATLAB. This hands-on introduction is built around forty short and powerful MATLAB programs, which the reader can download from the World Wide Web. This book presents the key ideas along with many figures, examples, and short, elegant MATLAB programs for readers to adapt to their own needs. It covers ODE and PDE boundary value problems, eigenvalues and pseudospectra, linear and nonlinear waves, and numerical quadrature.

Customer Reviews:

setting a precedent in numerical methods books.......2006-05-31

i would have given it a 4-stars, but i feel that i need to counter the negative comment by a reader below who complains that the book is loaded with errors.

first i should say i am not a mathematician although i used mathematics and numerical methods frequently. so there are certainly many details that i overlook or ignore.

in my opinion, most of the errors in the book (inc those not listed on trefethen's website but which i have noticed) are insignificant and inconsequential. they are things like writing 'n' instead of 'N'; the confusions and errors in the indices (this is due to matlab must start from '1', while frequently we are used to start from '0' when writing the mathematics); calling something obvious an inappropriate name, etc. to me, these are trivial errors. (if you are a numerical analysis theorist, i accept that you don't agree with me). only a handful of errors are actually serious in terms of the mathematics, and i believe the number of them are acceptable. every book has errors.

at the level i am reading this book, i just need an introduction to the theory, and then start computing. as far as i am concerned, if the mathematics is seriously wrong, you will notice when you do the computing.

what i like about the book is that it starts you computing right from the first chapter. although mathematical softwares such as matlab have been around for one to two decades, until recently not many books on numerical methods give you an opportunity to do the computations yourself. if the matlab scripts were not provided, i doubt that many would know how to code them (in any language you are familiar with); or even if you do, you may be doing it in an inelegant or inefficient way.

i used to wonder what is the use of a book on advanced numerical methods. for example, i would not know how to write a fluid dynamics code using spectral method to do direct numerical simulation of turbulent flows after reading and even mastering, say, Canuto et al's Spectral Dynamics in Fluid Dynamics. on the other hand, if i am familiar with spectral methods programming, it is also likely that i am familiar with the theory. so what these books are for is just as a store of knowledge and convenient references. you may know that the kind of fluid dynamics code i mentioned above can require a team effort over many years. so most numerical methods books which claim to cover applications are in fact useless, except you are already a practitioner, when come to developing codes for modern advanced simulations.

however, i think introductory books should have examples of how the computer codes to some numerical methods actually look like. before these past few years, i didn't see any such book. only recently, there are at least a dozen books on numerical methods or differential equations with C/C++, Matlab, etc. and i think trefethen's book is setting an example on how to do this without much fuss and long discourse. who knows, you may also learn the basic skills require to work on a much more complicated piece of computational code.

also, trefethen never claims that you can learn matlab with this book. he suggested, for example, higham & higham's matlab guide.

lastly, i should say one should not judge a book by the personality of the author. he may (or may not) be arrogant, but that does not necessarily make his book bad. (it appears to me that the reader below is the arrogant one. just because trefethen probably didn't give him responsive and 'grateful' replies, he wrote this review here).

Loaded with errors, author defensive and arrogant.......2004-06-21

I found glaring errors starting on page 1. I emailed the author for clarification who agreed that his nomenclature was unclear and misleading (come on Professor, we call them mistakes, errata, etc.). The first chapter is available in his web site, go see for yourself. You'll also find a page of errata, which unfortunately is far from complete. My colleagues and I desperately tried to get Professor Trefethen to clarify his nomenclature, which he quite arrogantly dismissed. His matlab code seems to execute fine, but you'll likely spend a good deal of time dissecting it. Any programmer who must use someone elses code despises poorly commented and optimized code. This book just isn't a good place to start for spectral methods or matlab.

A useful introduction to spectral methods.......2001-03-21

The author achieves the hard task of explaining the subject in a very simple and, at the same time, intelligent way. The MATLAB m-files are short, educative and full of useful tricks. The book is well motivated, focused in the essentials and easy to read. I am very fond of most of Prof. Trefethen writings and this book is no disappoitment. It contrasts starkly with the lack of mathematical insight in most of the engineering collocation literature, but at the same time has a hands-on approach to the problems. This book should be useful to anybody interested in solving PDE in regular geometries.

Object-Oriented Implementation of Numerical Methods: An Introduction with Java & Smalltalk (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Software Engineering and Programming)

Average customer rating:

Disappointing Introduction to the Implementation of Numerical Methods
Excellent book
Reconciling Numerical Methods and Object-Orientation
Reconciling Numerical Methods and Object-Orientation
Oh man, is this book neat!

Object-Oriented Implementation of Numerical Methods: An Introduction with Java & Smalltalk (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Software Engineering and Programming)
Didier H. Besset
Manufacturer: Morgan Kaufmann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1558606793

Amazon.com

Didier Besset's Object-Oriented Implementation of Numerical Methods offers a wide-ranging set of objects for common numerical algorithms. Written for the math-literate Java and Smalltalk programmer, this volume demonstrates that both languages can be used to tackle common numerical calculations with ease.

This title bridges the gap between pure algorithms and object design. By tackling issues like class design, interfaces, and overcoming floating-point rounding errors in both Java and Smalltalk, the code can be used as-is or as a model for your own custom numerical classes.

The range of recipes, or sample numerical classes, all coded in both OOPLs, is rich. For anyone who's taken a few undergraduate math courses (like calculus, linear algebra, or statistics), plenty of the material will be familiar. After presenting some basic algorithm and mathematical principles, the book shows you the code that gets the job done (first in Smalltalk and then in Java). There's no room for demo code that shows how to use all this. The emphasis is on a good cross-section of common numerical calculations. The tour begins with calculus and moves through linear algebra, with plenty of material on matrices. Later sections on statistics cover familiar terms and calculations such as linear regression and calculations useful for establishing correlations between one or more independent variables. Sections on data mining examine the mathematical rules for finding patterns in large amounts of data. (There's also a nifty set of classes for implementing genetic algorithms.) Throughout, you get advice on choosing the right algorithm for the job. (There are class diagrams that map out how this class library is organized.)

Of course, it will help to know some of the underlying math to get the most out of this intelligent and wide-ranging book, but the writing is remarkably clear and the source code is a model of intelligibility, so even readers who are averse to equations will find Object-Oriented Implementation of Numerical Methods readable. In general, any competent Java or Smalltalk programmer will be able to tap into solid mathematical code by reading it, without having to reinvent the proverbial wheel. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered:

Introduction to numerical methods and objects in Java and Smalltalk
Numerical precision and rounding errors
Comparing floating-point numbers
Functions in Smalltalk and Java
Evaluating polynomials
The error, gamma, and beta functions
Interpolation algorithms (Lagrange, Newton, Neville, Burlirsch-Stoer, and cubic spline interpolations)
Choosing the right interpolation method
Iterative algorithms
Finding the zeroes of functions (the bisection method, Newton's method, roots of polynomials)
Integration of functions (trapeze integration method and Simpson and Romberg integration algorithms)
Open integrals
Choosing the right integration method
Infinite series
Continued fractions
Incomplete gamma and beta functions
Algorithms for linear algebra
Vectors and matrices
Linear equations (backward substitution, Gaussian elimination, LUP decomposition)
Matrix determinants and inversion
Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of nonsymmetrical and symmetrical matrices
Statistical moments
Histograms
Probability distributions (normal, gamma, and experimental distributions)
The F-test
The t-test
The chi-squared test
Least-fit square algorithms
Optimization algorithms
Extended Newton algorithms
Hill-climbing algorithms
Powell's algorithm
Simplex algorithm
The genetic algorithm
Data mining
Covariance
Multidimensional probability distribution
The Mahalanobis Distance
Cluster analysis and variance

Book Description

Numerical methods naturally lend themselves to an object-oriented approach. Mathematics builds high- level ideas on top of previously described, simpler ones. Once a property is demonstrated for a given concept, it can be applied to any new concept sharing the same premise as the original one, similar to the ideas of reuse and inheritance in object-oriented (OO) methodology.

Few books on numerical methods teach developers much about designing and building good code. Good computing routines are problem-specific. Insight and understanding are what is needed, rather than just recipes and black box routines. Developers need the ability to construct new programs for different applications.

Object-Oriented Implementation of Numerical Methods reveals a complete OO design methodology in a clear and systematic way. Each method is presented in a consistent format, beginning with a short explanation and following with a description of the general OO architecture for the algorithm. Next, the code implementations are discussed and presented along with real-world examples that the author, an experienced software engineer, has used in a variety of commercial applications.

On the enclosed CD-ROM, you'll find files containing tested source code implementations of all the algorithms discussed in the book in both Java and Smalltalk. This includes repository files for VisualAge for Java and VisualAge for Smalltalk under ENVY.

* Reveals the design methodology behind the code, including design patterns where appropriate, rather than just presenting canned solutions.
* Implements all methods side by side in both Java and Smalltalk. This contrast can significantly enhance your understanding of the nature of OO programming languages.
* Provides a step-by-step pathway to new object-oriented techniques for programmers familiar with using procedural languages such as C or Fortran for numerical methods.
* Includes a chapter on data mining, a key application of numerical methods.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing Introduction to the Implementation of Numerical Methods.......2005-09-01

As a mathematically oriented programmer I found no interesting ideas in this book. The content and treatment of the material is a bit too simplistic and, when viewed as an introduction, it looks unattractive.

Also, as a Smalltalk programmer, I was disappointed with the way algorithms are implemented. The author makes no attempt to take advantage of the wonderful expressiveness of the Smalltalk language. Classes and methods have been given awkward names; the source code is not elegant; basic objects such as matrices and polynomials are insufficiently modeled and treated as mere data structures; algorithms are not viewed as objects but as conventional procedures. Because of the flatness of the approach the resulting programming style is ugly when compared to Smalltalk standards. The eloquence and richness of pure object orientation is not achieved or suggested. SUnit tests, which would have fitted perfectly in all chapters, have been ignored everywhere.

Excellent book.......2001-01-10

The author is clearly very familiar with the theory and practice of numerical computations in OO languages. For me, the main contributions of the book are an expert formulation of some of the basic numerical techniques and concepts in OO terms (a subject rarely approached in the numerous existing books on OO technology), and examples that can be followed to implement other NM techniques and concepts.

The inclusion of very readable Smalltalk and Java source code is very useful.

For use in a course, I would like to see the material complemented by exercises.

Reconciling Numerical Methods and Object-Orientation.......2000-12-24

I really enjoyed this book because it shows that a high level language such as Smalltalk can efficiently model a complex domain like numerical methods. Besset presents a conceptual framework where the concepts are extended and reused, showing the power of OO programming. I also liked the structure of examples followed by a formal foundation, implementation, and implementation discussion.

Reconciling Numerical Methods and Object-Orientation.......2000-12-24

Oh man, is this book neat!.......2000-12-08

Dr. Besset has written an uncommonly great book where he has given us important tools while teaching object-oriented analysis and design. Having both Smalltalk and Java code included is a gift. As a smalltalker, I greatly appreciate the inclusion of the Smalltalk code. The book is well organized, very readable and provides the basis for individuals to extend the classes provides as well as build applications with the included code. The code also provides solid examples of object-oriented programming style that will aid the newer programmers in developing effective use of both Java and Smalltalk.

An Introduction to Programming and Numerical Methods in MATLAB

Average customer rating:

fast way to implement the algorithms

An Introduction to Programming and Numerical Methods in MATLAB
Stephen R. Otto , and James P. Denier
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1852339195

Book Description

MATLAB is a powerful programme, which naturally lends itself to the rapid implementation of most numerical algorithms. This text, which uses MATLAB, gives a detailed overview of structured programming and numerical methods for the undergraduate student.

The book covers numerical methods for solving a wide range of problems, from integration to the numerical solution of differential equations or the simulation of random processes. Each chapter includes extensive examples and tasks, at varying levels of complexity. For practice, the early chapters include programmes that require debugging by the reader, while full solutions are given for all the tasks. The book also includes:

a glossary of MATLAB commands
appendices of mathematical techniques used in numerical methods.

Designed as a text for a first course in programming and algorithm design, as well as in numerical methods courses, the book will be of benefit to a wide range of students from mathematics and engineering, to commerce.

Customer Reviews:

fast way to implement the algorithms.......2005-07-18

Otto certainly gives you a good exposure to Matlab. The many examples and problems will greatly help you acquire the expertise, if you can knuckle down and tackle them.

The other utility of the book is in learning the various numerical methods, independent of the specific language of Matlab that they are implemented in. There is a possible advantage to doing so with Matlab, as contrasted to coding the methods in a general purpose language like C or Java. Since Matlab is already optimised [in some sense] for handling such methods. And especially with easily accessible and powerful graphing routines readily at hand. In other languages, a lot of your effort will inevitably be focused on writing this routines, as opposed to actually dealing with the numerical methods themselves.

Numerical Methods for Engineers: With Programming and Software Applications

Average customer rating:

As a textbook?
Chech out paper back international edition. Cheeper and same contents.
Numerical Methods made easy
A excellent book ruined by clutter
Excellent Reference for Numerical Algorithms Programming

Numerical Methods for Engineers: With Programming and Software Applications
Steven C. Chapra , and Raymond P. Canale
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Companies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0075612542

Book Description

*Retaining its comprehensive yet accessible and user-friendly style, this edition incorporates new examples and techniques *Includes excellent applications sections with a variety of engineering problems *contains software-based examples and engineering-oriented problems

Customer Reviews:

As a textbook?.......2006-10-26

I've noticed several reviewers have benifited from this book as a reference for algorithms in specific topics, which is something the book is really good at in my opinion.

However, we studied the book as a junior level textbook in numerical methods and went into many problems in doing so. Although the motiviation is well, the presentation is not. For example, the parts on Fourier Approximation (Chapter 19), and Finite Difference: Elliptic Equations (Chapter 29) really do require good background knowledge on behalf of the reader, and the authors sometimes rush into the approximation techniques with hardly any explination of the underlying logic.

For undergraduate students, I don't believe this book is good for self-teaching. More elaboration is needed in the derivations of the nemurical techniques, and without that, many of us were lost when it came to homeworks and computer projects.

On the bright side, The graphs are excellent , and the book covers a very wide range of topics and presents many codes and worked out examples.

Chech out paper back international edition. Cheeper and same contents........2006-08-16

Type in search the authers name, Steven C. Chapra, and it will give a list of the books by him. you get the same edition but international in english same figures everything.

Numerical Methods made easy.......2006-02-11

I bought this book a little while ago to get more familiar with interpolation which I need to use in some of the signal analysis software that I write. As I was reading through the book I suddenly realized the overall usefulness of numerical methods in general. It has helped me code up routines for solving matrices and interpolation algorithms. After reading this book I really can not understand how courses in linear algebra and differential equations can be taught without extensive use of numerical methods.

This book has really opened my eyes to a whole new way of solving engineering problems.

Andy (andys@d2d.com)

A excellent book ruined by clutter.......2006-02-05

The basic content of the book is excellent. However, in trying to cover different packages and/or languages the book loses its charm.

This book is a glaring example of how an otherwise excellent textbook can be ruined by clutter. If the authors had stayed with Fortran/C or Matlab (but not both) and provided more of ready made programs or subroutines, it would be a lot more useful.

Excellent Reference for Numerical Algorithms Programming.......2006-02-01

If you are a programmer who must work with calculation intensive algorithms, you will need a book such as this. The chapters are well written and cover many subjects which are easily forgotten when not used often. The section explaining the difference between precision and accuracy is quite good.

Also worthy of personal praise is the suggestion that piecemeal cubic spline approximations more accurately reflect abrupt (zonal) shifts in the data, better than do higher order polynomical approximations.

The book seems to cover most of the subjects that a non-specialist programmer might need, when confronted with a numerical methods prospect. Topics include: matrix reduction, numerical differentiation and integration, truncated series approximations, curve fitting and fast fourier transforms to name a few. It also deals extensively with the nitty-gritty of computing, from bits, bytes and numerical representations; to MatLab, MathCAD, and Fortran.

Introduction to Precise Numerical Methods, Second Edition

Average customer rating:

very limited need

Introduction to Precise Numerical Methods, Second Edition
Oliver Aberth
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0123738598

Book Description

Precise numerical analysis may be defined as the study of computer methods for solving mathematical problems either exactly or to prescribed accuracy. This book explains how precise numerical analysis is constructed. It includes a CD-ROM which contains executable Windows XP programs for the PC and which demonstrates how these programs can be used to solve typical problems of elementary numerical analysis with precision. The book also provides exercises which illustrate points from the text and references for the methods presented.

· Clearer, simpler descriptions and explanations of
the various numerical methods
· Windows based software
· Two new types of numerical problems; accurately
solving partial differential equations with the included software and computing line integrals in the complex plane.

Customer Reviews:

very limited need.......2007-05-15

The back of the book says "No other book on the market can guarantee results to this level of accuracy". It refers to the methods in the text and the code offered in the enclosed CD. All promoting ultra-precise computational methods. In some ways, this harks back to some numerical analysis texts of the 70s. Before GUIs started to dominate, like the Maple and Mathematica packages.

The ideas are quite easy to follow. They assume only a brief knowledge up to early calculus, differential and integral. There are discussions on topics like Newton's method for finding a root of an equation. Then, a broader analysis of roots of polynomials.

The chapters have exercises that involve the CD's code. Good illustrations of what the chapters discuss.

The only aspect about this book is that it fills a very narrow niche. How many professionals, mathematicians, scientists and engineers, will ever need such accuracy as delivered here?

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