A Student's Guide to Numerical Methods

This textbook offers a clear and accessible introduction to numerical methods for senior undergraduates, emphasizing practical skills and understanding essential concepts.

This guide is tailored for senior undergraduates across various disciplines in physical science and engineering. A Student's Guide to Numerical Methods employs a plain language style, focusing on the development of computational skills while steering clear of intimidating formal mathematical proofs. It includes a wealth of worked examples and exercises that highlight the practical applications of numerical techniques.

The book aims to cultivate intuition and practical skills, providing a solid understanding of the framework surrounding numerical methods relevant to both physical sciences and engineering. It offers self-contained explanations of mathematical principles, making complex concepts more accessible. Students will find numerous worked examples and targeted exercises that facilitate mastery of essential numerical techniques, such as solving ordinary and partial differential equations, fitting experimental data, and simulating scenarios using particle and Monte Carlo methods.

Topics are thoughtfully chosen and organized to enhance comprehension, illustrating fundamental principles like accuracy, stability, order of convergence, iterative refinement, and computational effort estimation. Enrichment sections and detailed footnotes serve as a gateway to more advanced material, offering additional context. Whether utilized for self-study or as a foundation for an accelerated introductory course, A Student's Guide to Numerical Methods provides a comprehensive grounding in computational physics and engineering, helping students grasp the essentials of the subject.