Undergraduate scientists and engineers must master complex mathematics to rise to practice their professions. Once they understand the fundamental mathematics, they must learn to calculate the results on their own using a computer and a program like Matlab (or the free version Octave). In this book, these two Norwegian scientists offer a friendly (or, in their words, “gentle”) introduction to this domain. By providing a clear guide, they help ease the burden of learning for future generations.
Ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs) are mathematics that describe a wide range of physical phenomena. This book introduces not only the mathematics for these types of equations, but also how to program their solutions in software. The authors also offer another version of this book with examples in Python instead of Matlab; this version has the same text with different coding examples.
Linge and Langtangen’s rhetoric is quite accessible, and their writing posits helpful analogies. Their fluency proves able to reach the English-speaking world. To fully appreciate this book, the reader must have seen the fundamental mathematics derived in another real. However, the basic computer science is presented within the text.
The graphs are readable, and critical concepts – like compounding error values in computed real numbers – are repeatedly illustrated throughout the text. The final chapter on nonlinear algebraic formulae is a nice addition that shows the authors’ prowess extending beyond calculus.
Mathematically driven scientists and engineers (primarily in the physical sciences, not the life sciences) will benefit most from this text. Computational languages are part of the lingua franca of scientific discovery these days. This book weds both the mathematics and the computer science necessary to master this realm. It does so in an accessible manner with relatable and accessible English.
Programming for Computations – MATLAB/Octave: A Gentle Introduction to Numerical Simulations with MATLAB/Octave
By Svein Linge and Hans Petter Langtangen
Copyright (c) 2016
Springer Open
ISBN13 9783319324524
Page Count: 216
Genre: Mathematics, Computer Science
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