Numerical Analysis using Matlab and Spreadsheets5 S) Z) E2 H7 f4 h: ~
This book is written primarily for students/readers who have a good background of high-school! n0 S6 G6 f9 q, r: V* j9 V% g4 O
algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and the fundamentals of differential and integral calculus.* A ) V' F+ I, X# [, Nprior knowledge of differential equations is desirable but not necessary; this topic is reviewed in 9 E; m. q0 T5 O- C0 I+ P' @Chapter 5.; z; j5 g1 t! T2 l! Z: L
One can use Fortran, Pascal, C, or Visual Basic or even a spreadsheet to solve a difficult problem. 0 ^. _1 |8 w( t0 I- k) V+ KIt is the opinion of this author that the best applications programs for solving engineering* n, Z# \' G( Y3 w9 q! I
problems are 1) MATLAB which is capable of performing advanced mathematical and 1 y1 W4 i* L, F* s& |4 E* a1 eengineering computations, and 2) the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet since the versatility offered by # _; @5 j% n p# q ^spreadsheets have revolutionized the personal computer industry. We will assume that the reader ; m0 d7 L% ?" S/ U. Q% u, [has no prior knowledge of MATLAB and limited familiarity with Excel.