Math 441/620 - Numerical Analysis

Fall 2005 - Matthias K. Gobbert

Section 0101 - Schedule Number 4062/4126


This page can be reached via my homepage at http://www.math.umbc.edu/~gobbert.

Grading Information

Final scores and grades ordered by the identification numbers handed out in class: Math 441, Math 620.


Basic Information


Overview

Numerical Analysis is concerned with the approximation of continuous mathematical objects by constructs with only finitely many coefficients. This takes various forms including the approximation of a function by a series with finitely many terms or the approximation of a derivative by a finite difference. These approximations incur numerical error, in the examples above known as truncation error and discretization error, respectively. Numerical Analysis is dedicated to the analysis of these errors.

The methods covered include polynomial interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, approximation theory and orthogonal polynomials, the solution of non-linear systems of equations, and an introduction to numerical methods for ordinary differential equations. Additionally, we will discuss the representation of real numbers in computers according to the IEEE-standard for floating-point numbers and the resulting round-off errors, if time permits.

This course will also include computational work to gain practical experience with the numerical methods discussed. I recommend the professional software package Matlab as platform of choice, because it is a very popular package and knowing it thoroughly is itself a marketable skill.


Other Information


UMBC Academic Integrity Policy

By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Directory for undergraduate students, or the Graduate School website for graduate students.


Copyright © 1999-2005 by Matthias K. Gobbert. All Rights Reserved.
This page version 2.1, December 2005.