Faculty of Science and Technology

OPENBOOK EXAM: COM 123 Numerical Analysis and Computation

TIME ALLOWED:.

AVAILABLE FROM: Date: Monday, 4th January 2021 Time: 09.00 a.m.

TO:
(UPLOAD DEADLINE): Date: Monday, 16th January 2021 Time: 16.00 p.m.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
This paper consists of a Case Study which you are expected to read carefully and
understand before attempting to answer the accompanying questions.

The paper consists of two sections A and B. Section A is compulsory. Attempt any one
question from section B

Read the following before answering the examination questions.

1. Clearly indicate the following on the Answer Booklet: Course Code and Course
Name, e.g., COM121 Linear Programming.
2. Write/Type your Name and Student ID (Registration Number) on each and every
page of the Answer Booklet, preferably as a Header.
3. Read each question carefully before you answer.
4. Answer the questions in the downloaded Answer Booklet (offline) as a typed
Microsoft Word document.
5. If the paper is a mathematics paper, and you cannot type your answers using the
Microsoft Word Equation Editor:

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 (i) Hand-write your answers using the downloaded Answer Booklet. Please
write as neatly as possible as illegible handwriting cannot be marked.
(ii) After, scan/photocopy each and every page of your Answer Booklet using a
photocopier scanner or your phone camera.
(iii)Combine all the scanned pages into a single document (format: pdf, image
(JPEG, PNG, TIFF, etc.)) that can be uploaded on the CULP System.
6. Upload your Answer Booklet on/before the stated date and time.
7. Firstly answer the questions that you feel can obtain the most marks for you but, if
there are any compulsory questions, you must ensure that you attempt these.
8. Number the answers to the questions clearly before answering.

CASE STUDY:

Numerical Analysis is an area of mathematics and Computer Science that finds

applications in all fields of engineering and the physical sciences, but in the
21st century, the life sciences and even the arts have adopted elements of scientific
computations. Ordinary differential equations appear in the movement of heavenly
bodies (planets, stars and galaxies); optimization occurs in portfolio
management; numerical linear algebra is important for data analysis; stochastic
differential equations and Markov chains are essential in simulating living cells for
medicine and biology.

The overall goal of the field of numerical analysis is the design and analysis of
techniques to give approximate but accurate solutions to hard problems, the variety
of which is suggested by the following: Advanced numerical methods are essential
in making numerical weather prediction feasible; Computing the trajectory of a
spacecraft requires the accurate numerical solution of a system of ordinary
differential equations.

Car companies can improve the crash safety of their vehicles by using computer
simulations of car crashes. Such simulations essentially consist of solving partial
differential equations numerically. Sophisticated numerical analysis software is
being embedded in popular software packages, e.g. spreadsheet programs. Modern
business makes much use of optimization methods in deciding how to allocate
resources most efficiently. These include problems such as inventory control,
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scheduling, how best to locate manufacturing storage facilities, investment
strategies, and others.

Quantitative analysts developing financial applications have specialized expertise in

their area of analysis.

Algorithms used for numerical analysis range from basic numerical functions to
calculate interest income to advanced functions that offer specialized optimization
and forecasting techniques. Different Areas And Methods under Numerical Analysis
include: Interpolation/extrapolation (Newton’s finite difference Interpolation,
Lagrange’s Interpolation, Spline Interpolation), Finite Difference Operators
(Forward, Backward, Central, Average, Displacement/Shift operators), Numerical
Differentiation, Numerical Integration, Solving a system of linear equations and
Solving non-linear equations, etc.

Since numerical methods result in approximate solutions rather than exact solutions
that are normally obtained using analytical methods, there are errors associated with
them. Such errors include truncation errors, rounding errors, etc.

The following are two application of numerical analysis in Computer Science and
Physics and Engineering (electricity).

A: Computer Science Application

CPU usage was monitored over Windows Task Manager for a period of an hour
with Windows

SQL server and supporting utilities running. The data values obtained were
tabulated as follows;

Time (t) hrs 0 0.5 1.0 1.5

CPU usage (f) 80 68 88 72
(%)
The associated Lagrange’s polynomial that can be used in the
approximation of cPU usage is given by
𝑛 𝑛
𝑡 − 𝑡𝑗
𝑃𝑛 (𝑡) = ∑ 𝐿𝑘 (𝑡)𝑓𝑘 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐿𝑘 (𝑡) = ∏ ( ) , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓 (𝑡) ≈ 𝑃𝑛 (𝑡)
𝑡𝑘 − 𝑡𝑗
𝑘=0 𝑘=0,𝑗≠𝑘

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B: Physics/Engineering (Electricity) Application

In a circuit with impressed voltage V(t) and the inductance L, Kirchoff’s first law
gives:
dI
V(t) = L R
dT
Where R is the resistance in the circuit and I is the current in amperes, T is the time
in seconds. Several values of I and T that were measured are shown in the table
below:

T 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8

I 0.19867 0.29552 0.38943 0.47843 0.56464 0.64422 0.71736

Where L = 0.98 henries and R = 0.142 ohms, and

= 𝐼 ′ (𝑇0)= I ' (T0 )    I o   3 I 0   5 I 0  .........

𝑑𝐼 1 1 1
𝑑𝑇 h 6 30 

Section A: Q.1 is Compulsory

Q.1

(a) A number of areas/disciplines are mentioned in the case where numerical analysis
is applied. Identify and discuss one problem each in Biology and Chemistry that can
be solved using numerical methods.(5 marks @). NB. Each problem discussed
should not exceed half a page.

(b) The case study points out that numerical methods give an approximate solution
rather than an exact solution to that cannot be solved analytically. Give and discuss
the three(3) main features each, of approximate solutions and exact solutions. (6
marks)

(c) Two main types of errors are mentioned in the case. These are the truncation
errors and rounding errors. There are, however, other errors that may occur. These
include: machine/computer errors, human errors. Discuss how these errors occur. (9
marks).

Total 25 marks.

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 SECTION B.

Attempt any one (1) question from Section B

Q.2

(a) There are a number of finite differences operators mentioned in the case.
Using the function 𝑓𝑘 :and/or f(x). Give and define these operators. (2 marks
@).
(b) Give and discuss two applications of finite difference operators. (4 marks).

(c) (i) Determine an appropriate Lagrange’s polynomial that fits the values
given for the
Computer Science application .(6marks)
(ii) Use the polynomial obtained in ((c)(i) to estimate CPU usage f at t =
75minutes.
(Hint I hour = 60 minutes ). (5marks)

Total 25 marks.

Q.3

(a) Using the application in Physics/Engineering (Electricity Problem), construct a

table of finite differences using the tabulated values. (10 marks)
𝑑𝐼
(b) Using the constructed table of finite differences, calculate = 𝐼 ′ (𝑇0) at 𝑇0 =
𝑑𝑇
0.5

Using I ' (T0 )    I o   3 I 0   5 I 0  ......... (10 marks)

1 1 1
h 6 30 
dI
(d) Hence using the value obtained in (b) compute the value of V(t) = L R
dT

when 𝑇 = 0.5. (5 marks).

Total 25 marks.

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