04524 - Numerical Analysis

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Lucia Romani
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: MAT/08
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Aerospace Engineering (cod. 9234)

    Also valid for First cycle degree programme (L) in Mechanical Engineering (cod. 0949)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the numerical-mathematical aspects and the main algorithmic methodologies that allow him to solve problems of interest in engineering. In particular: the methods of numerical linear algebra to solve linear and non-linear systems, least squares linear problems, differential models. The student carries out exercises and projects together with the teacher during the hours of computer laboratory with the help of the MATLAB software.

Course contents

1. Numerical Calculus - Goals and problems in solving practical computer problems.

2. Finite numbers - Representation of real numbers. Finite numbers. Representation errors. Floating point arithmetic. Error analysis in elementary arithmetic operations. Error propagation: stability and conditioning.

3. Zeros of Functions - Problem formulation. Resolution Techniques. Iterative methods, convergence and order of methods. Local convergence and global convergence methods. Bisection method and other methods of the first order with global convergence. The Fixed Point iteration method. Convergence theorem. A second-order method: the Newton method. Quasi-Newton methods: the secant method.

4. Linear Algebra recalls on vectors, matrices and vector spaces. Vector norms and matrix norms.

5. Numerical solution of Linear Systems - The Gauss elimination algorithm. LR factorization of a matrix. Cholesky factorization of symmetric and positive definite matrices. Variants of the Gauss elimination algorithm for factorization of tridiagonal matrices.

6. Interpolation - Polynomial interpolation. Existence and uniqueness of the interpolating polynomial. Evaluation of the interpolating polynomial: Lagrange form and Newton form. Error expression in polynomial interpolation. Convergence problems. Overview of interpolation with spline functions.

7. Least Squares approximation. Normal equations, QRLS method. Singular Value Decomposition.

8. Numerical Integration - Newton-Cotes quadrature formulas. Simple formulas and composite formulas. Error of simple and composite integration formulas. Adaptive methods.

9. Numerical solution of Ordinary Differential Equations: one-step methods; error analysis; the choice of the step length.

Readings/Bibliography

It will be fundamental to use the notes taken during the lectures and the computer material made available on the web. For further study we recommend:

[1] A. Quarteroni, F. Saleri, Introduzione al Calcolo Scientifico - Esercizi e problemi risolti con MATLAB, Springer Verlag, 2006

[2] A. Quarteroni, R. Sacco, F. Saleri, Matematica Numerica, Springer Verlag, 2000

[3] R. Bevilacqua, D. Bini, M. Capovani, O. Menchi, Metodi Numerici, Zanichelli, 1992

Teaching methods

The course is structured in lectures and exercises in the computer laboratory. More precisely, the lectures on the basic numerical methods to solve classical problems of mathematics through the use of a computer, are followed by laboratory exercises aimed at implementing these methods in MATLAB and developing an adequate sensitivity and awareness of their use.

Assessment methods

The exam aims to verify the achievement of the following educational objectives:

- knowledge of the fundamental elements of the numerical calculus, illustrated during the lectures;

- ability to use basic numerical methods to solve real problems using a computer.

The end-of-course exam (the evaluation of which is in thirtieths) will take place in a single test which includes both the development of MATLAB codes for solving numerical problems, and the written answer to theoretical questions on the topics covered in the lessons.

During the test, the use of support material such as textbooks, notes, computer supports is not allowed.

Teaching tools

The course includes a laboratory activity in which the MATLAB software will be used. The corresponding teaching material will be made available to the student in electronic format and will be available on the lecturer's website.

Office hours

See the website of Lucia Romani