Introduction to Numerical Analysis

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
MATH 3316
Descriptive
Introduction to Numerical Analysis
Department
Mathematics
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 4 hours/week

and

Tutorial: 1 hour/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Learning activities

Classroom time will be used for lectures, demonstrations, discussions, problem-solving practice, in-class assignments (which may include work in groups), and computing assignments.

Course description
This course is an introduction to methods and algorithms for finding approximate numerical solutions to problems in science and engineering. Topics include number systems and errors, solution of nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations, interpolation and approximation, differentiation and integration, and initial value problems. This course involves the use of a numerical software package and/or a programming language.
Course content

Computer arithmetic

  • Number representations: binary, decimal, floating point
  • Error in number representations: round-off, relative, absolute, significant digits
  • Floating point arithmetic 
  • Error propagation and loss of significance
  • Algorithms and stability 

Solution of nonlinear equations

  • Bisection method
  • Fixed point iteration
  • Newton’s method
  • Secant method
  • Convergence rate
  • Convergence acceleration: Aitken's delta-squared method, Aitken-Steffensen iteration

Systems of linear equations

  • Gaussian elimination  
  • Pivoting strategies in Gaussian elimination
  • LU-factorization and PA=LU-factorization
  • Norms, condition number and conditioning
  • Iterative methods: Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, successive over-relaxation 


Interpolation and approximation

  • Polynomial interpolation and interpolation error: Lagrange form, divided differences, Chebyshev 
  • Cubic spline interpolation
  • The method of least squares for data fitting

Differentiation and integration

  • Numerical differentiation: Finite difference methods, Richardson extrapolation
  • Numerical integration: Trapezoidal rule, Simpson's rule, Newton-Cotes formulas, composite numerical integration, Romberg integration, Gaussian quadrature  

Ordinary differential equation initial value problems

  • Euler's method
  • Higher-order Taylor methods
  • Runge-Kutta methods
  • Convergence, stability and stiffness
  • Systems of differential equations
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • describe the normalized floating-point number system and computer arithmetic of floating-point numbers;
  • define round-off error, absolute error, relative error, and significant digits;
  • describe error propagation and identify operations that produce large errors in computer arithmetic;
  • describe the efficiency, accuracy, and stability of an algorithm;
  • distinguish between the condition of a problem and the stability of an algorithm;
  • derive and implement root finding methods to solve nonlinear equations in one variable;
  • define and determine rates of convergence for solution methods to nonlinear equations in one variable;
  • derive and implement methods for accelerating convergence in solution methods to nonlinear equations in one variable;
  • solve a system of linear equations directly using Gaussian elimination, and represent the process in matrix factored form;
  • explain and apply pivoting strategies in Gaussian elimination;
  • solve linear systems numerically using matrix factorization and the matrix inverse;
  • determine the computational complexity of algorithms used to perform Gaussian elimination;
  • define and compute the norm and the condition number of a matrix, and use the results to discuss the conditioning of a system of linear equations;
  • solve linear systems numerically using iterative methods;
  • construct an interpolating polynomial for a given set of data points;
  • approximate a function using an interpolating polynomial, and estimate the error in the approximation;
  • implement cubic spline interpolation with natural or clamped boundary conditions;
  • implement the method of least squares to find an approximating polynomial for a given set of data points;
  • explain and implement numerical differentiation methods for approximating derivatives, and estimate the error in the approximation;
  • explain and implement numerical integration (quadrature) methods for approximating integals, and estimate the error in the approximation;
  • solve initial value problems using numerical methods and estimate the error in using the method;
  • explain and apply the concepts of convergence, stability, and stiffness when solving initial value problems numerically;
  • solve systems of ordinary differential equations using numerical methods;
  • write programs that implement and test numerical algortihms using a programming language such as Python, or numerical software such as MATLAB.
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Tutorials: 0-10%
Term Tests: 20-60%
Assignments: 10-25%
Quizzes: 0-15%
Attendance: 0-5%
Final Examination: 30-40%
Total: 100%

Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Burden, Richard L. and Faires, J. Douglas. (current edition). Numerical Analysis. Cengage.


Ascher, Uri M. and Grief, Chen. (current edition). A First Course on Numerical Methods. SIAM.


Sauer, Timothy. (current edition). Numerical Analysis. Pearson.

 

Prerequisites

MATH 1220
and
one of MATH 2210 OR MATH 2232.
Programming experience, or a course in programming such as CMPT 1105 or CMPT 1109, is strongly recommended.

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Which prerequisite

None