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This book presents computer programming as a key method for solving mathematical problems. There are two versions of the book, one for MATLAB and one for Python. The book was inspired by the Springer book TCSE 6: A Primer on Scientific Programming with Python (by Langtangen), but the style is more accessible and concise, in keeping with the needs of engineering students.
The book outlines the shortest possible path from no previous experience with programming to a set of skills that allows the students to write simple programs for solving common mathematical problems with numerical methods in engineering and science courses. The emphasis is on generic algorithms, clean design of programs, use of functions, and automatic tests for verification.
List of contents
Preface.- The first few steps.- Basic constructions.- Computing integrals.- Solving ordinary differential equations.- Solving partial differential equations.- Solving nonlinear algebraic equations.- Getting access to Python.- References.- Index
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"The book uses programming to impart a deeper understanding of the pragmatic meaning of some of the mathematics most frequently used in engineering and the sciences. ... This very good introductory textbook could be used in a variety of courses. A motivated reader with knowledge of calculus could easily use it for self-study. I highly recommend it." (David Naugler, Computing Reviews, February, 2017)
"This book is intended for novice programmers, especially students, teachers, engineers and scientists from areas related to mathematics and numerical mathematics. ... each treated concept is illustrated and explained in detail by means of working examples. On the basis of exercises, the reader is given the opportunity to deepen acquired knowledge. ... The clear presentation and the large number of concrete examples, often with a graphical output, make this book ideally suited for self-study and ensures a quick success." (Stefan Meyer, zbMATH 1350.68003, 2017)
