Numerical Analysis
It is hard to give a definition by my viewpoint. According
to reference book from related course about numerical analysis. “Numerical analysis is the area of mathematics
and computer science that creates, analyzes, and implements algorithms for
solving numerically the problems of continuous mathematics.” A lot of numerical
analysis problems are generally from real world applications about business,
social science natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. In the formal
science, the numerical analysis normally reflects on the mathematical studies
of theory in computer science issues. In 21th century, most computers can carry
the numerical procedures to solve the mathematical problems. We call these methods
as scientific computing or computational science. This area is getting popular
during the 1990s and 2000s. This area is using numerical analysis from a
computer science perspective. “It is concerned with using the most powerful
tools of numerical analysis, computer graphics, symbolic mathematical
computations, and graphical user interfaces to make it easier for a user to set
up, solve, and interpret complicated mathematical models of the real world.”
Numerical algorithms are almost as old as human
civilization. The Rhind Papyrus (1650 BC) of ancient Egypt describes a
rootfinding method for solving a simple equation. Archimedes of Syracuse (287-
212 BC) created much new mathematics, including the “method of exhaustion” for
calculating lengths, areas, and volumes of geometric figures. When used as a
method to find approximations, it is in much the spirit of modern numerical
integration; and it was an important precursor to the development of the
calculus by Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibnitz.
Your blog provide a simple description about the history of numerical analysis, which is very good to know. The article is well organized. I agree that the progress in computer hardware does great help to speed up the development of numerical analysis. Basically, every computing action is based on numerical computation while people might not be aware of this. If some concrete examples about the application of numerical analysis in daily life can be provided, your article will be more enriched and attract more readers.
ReplyDelete