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Introduction
Numerical analysis, which is an developed discipline after computers, is a methodology based
on arithmetic and logic operations.

The purpose of numerical methods

Finding and developing methods that can be used in solving a problem (physical quantity,
modeling and solution) with the help of a computer (the desired fast and accurate solution),
examining the existing approaches and determining and using the most effective ones.

Method (Algorithm)
The algorithm is an arrangement or calculation method that defines the operations to be
performed in solving a problem step by step in a particular order.

Expectations from algorithm

1. speed, duration of solution
2. accuracy, error, uncertainty of the solution

Features to be considered in numerical methods

1. No complex physical system can ever have a perfect exact mathematical model.
2. No numerical method is always perfect (optimum, best) for all cases and conditions.
3. No numerical method is completely error-free.
4. No numerical method is always equally good for all situations in which it is used.

Errors and error sources

Error

Absolute error

Relative error

Absolute relative error

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Number of decimal digits: The number of digits in a number after the decimal separator
(comma, point).

Decimal digit accuracy: Indicated by the absolute error.

Significant digit: The number of digits in a number without counting the leading (left) zeros.

Significant digit accuracy: Indicated by absolute error.

Sources of errors

1. Errors in the input

a. The value found as a result of an experiment or a measurement can never be the exact
value.
b. Some numbers can never be represented by exactly a finite number of decimals.

Note: Computers allocate certain spaces in their storage units to store numbers and
truncate the numbers above these spaces.

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2. Rounding errors
Rounding: To round a number to n decimals, the part of the number after the
nth decimal;

a.

b.

c.

Truncation error
Truncation: Unconditional truncating of the part of a number after the nth
decimal.
Numbers contain errors due to both rounding and truncating.

3. Discretization error
It is the error caused by expressing a number with infinite terms

by a finite term

The sum of the disregarded terms indicates the error of the discretization.

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Homework example

4. Accumulation errors

Errors in numbers lead to an increase and decrease in errors in operations.

5. Simplification errors

6. Human and machine error

Errors that can be reduced with attention, care and control.

To avoid mistakes
- Addition and subtraction of a large number and a small number should be
avoided.
- Be careful when taking the difference of two numbers that are very close
to each other.
- Very small numbers should not be used as a dividend in division.
- Correct digits and decimals should be used.
- In order to find the error sources of the problem, variables should be
changed one by one and their effect on the result should be examined.

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