Numerical Analysis using Matlab and Spreadsheets B( h6 \+ F9 D
This book is written primarily for students/readers who have a good background of high-school% p0 e" l! n, m# E+ m
algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and the fundamentals of differential and integral calculus.* A8 _+ N7 \2 X# d* ^/ ^& c
prior knowledge of differential equations is desirable but not necessary; this topic is reviewed in d3 _, V5 Y% x t) `% w }. O
Chapter 5.# S& `/ h4 d7 ^: t( Q" P4 w: g
One can use Fortran, Pascal, C, or Visual Basic or even a spreadsheet to solve a difficult problem.7 r" |. g& C/ Y3 {
It is the opinion of this author that the best applications programs for solving engineering2 G9 `- v9 I: M% i$ F
problems are 1) MATLAB which is capable of performing advanced mathematical and, Z' E/ X" L9 z5 Z# @0 z1 B7 B) x. ^
engineering computations, and 2) the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet since the versatility offered by' t( U# Z3 b6 R; A
spreadsheets have revolutionized the personal computer industry. We will assume that the reader- [; J/ G, G& k7 l/ A
has no prior knowledge of MATLAB and limited familiarity with Excel.