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CHAPTER 5

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER AIDED MATHEMATICAL

CALCULATIONS

OVERVIEW

Numerical methods are techniques by which mathematical problems are

formulated so that they can be solved with arithmetic and logical operations. Because
digital computers excel at performing such operations, numerical methods are
sometimes referred to as computer mathematics. In this subject, we will be using the
EXCEL to solve mathematical problems.

A. LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Know the importance of Computer Aided Mathematical Calculations
2. Learn how to use Excel Application in solving mathematical problems

B. PRE-TEST

Part 1: (True or False)

Directions: Read carefully and choose the correct answer Write your answer on the
space provided before the number.

__TRUE__1. Engineers should never be content to be tool limited and they will do
whatever is necessary to solve their problems.

__TRUE__2. The use of computer-aided mathematical calculations is a great way

to help Engineers easily provides solutions to more complicated problems.

__TRUE__3. There is a limitation when solving problems using analytical solution.

__FALSE__4. MATH Lab and Excel are both helpful in providing numerical
solutions.

C. TIME ALLOTMENT – 3 hours

D. DISCUSSION

Beyond contributing to your overall education, there are several additional reasons
why you should study numerical methods:

1. Numerical methods greatly expand the types of problems you can

address. They are capable of handling large systems of equations,

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nonlinearities, and complicated geometries that are not uncommon

in engineering and science and that are often impossible to solve
analytically with standard calculus. As such, they greatly enhance
your problem- solving skills.
2. Numerical methods allow you to use “canned” software with insight.
During your career, you will invariably have occasion to use
commercially available prepackaged computer programs that involve
numerical methods. The intelligent use of these programs is greatly
enhanced by an understanding of the basic theory underlying the
methods. In the absence of such understanding, you will be left to
treat such packages as “black boxes” with little critical insight into
their inner workings or the validity of the results they produce.
3. Many problems cannot be approached using canned programs. If
you are conversant with numerical methods, and are adept at
computer programming, you can design your own programs to solve
problems without having to buy or commission expensive software.
4. Numerical methods are an efficient vehicle for learning to use
computers. Because numerical methods are expressly designed for
computer implementation, they are ideal for illustrating the
computer’s powers and limitations. When you successfully
implement numerical methods on a computer, and then apply them
to solve otherwise intractable problems, you will be provided with a
dramatic demonstration of how computers can serve your
professional development. At the same time, you will also learn to
acknowledge and control the errors of approximation that are part
and parcel of large-scale numerical calculations.
5. Numerical methods provide a vehicle for you to reinforce your
understanding of mathematics. Because one function of numerical
methods is to reduce higher mathematics to basic arithmetic
operations, they get at the “nuts and bolts” of some otherwise
obscure topics. Enhanced understanding and insight can result from
this alternative perspective.

With these reasons as motivation, we can now set out to understand how
numerical methods and digital computers work in tandem to generate reliable
solutions to mathematical problems.

EXCEL

Excel is the spreadsheet produced by Microsoft, Inc. Spreadsheets are a

special type of mathematical software that allows the user to enter and perform
calculations on rows and columns of data. It has several visualization tools, such as
graphs and three-dimensional surface plots that serve as valuable adjuncts for
numerical analysis.

Watch this Link on Excel Tutorial to review how to use excel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwbho0CgEAE

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We will now then show how these capabilities can be used to solve the
Solution of Linear Equations by Determinants by Cramer’s Rule.

To compare, let us first solve the equation below manually.

Example: Solve using Cramer’s Rule the system

2 x+ y+ z =13
x +2 y+ z =11
x +3 y+ 3 z =19

Here the determinant of the coefficients is:

| |
2 1 1
| A|= 1 2 1
1 3 3

¿ 2 ( 6 −3 ) −1 ( 3 −1 ) +1(3 −2)

¿ 6 −2+1

| A|=5

for |Ax|, replacing the first column of |A| with the corresponding constants 13, 11 and
19, we have

| |
13 1 1
| x| 11 2 1
A =
19 3 3

¿ 13 ( 6 −3 ) −1 ( 33 −19 ) +1(33− 38)

¿ 36 −14 − 5

| A x|=20
Similarly,

| |
2 13 1
| y| 1 11 1
A =
1 19 3

¿ 2 ( 33− 19 ) −13 ( 3 −1 ) +1(19 −11)

¿ 28 −26+ 8

| A y|=10
And

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| |
2 1 13
| A z|= 1 2 11
1 3 19

¿ 2 ( 38− 33 ) −1 ( 19− 11) +13(3− 2)

¿ 10 −8+13

| A z|=15
Hence:

| A x| 20
x= = =4
| A| 5
| A y| 10
y= = =2=A_y/A=10/5=2
| A| 5

| A z| 15
z= = =3=A_z/A=15/5=3
| A| 5

So the solution set of the system is {(4, 2, 3)}

Now, let us solve this with excel,

To do this, let us first set up a simple spreadsheet. As shown below, the first
step involves entering labels and numbers into the spreadsheet cells.

Now select cell A6 and enter “D=” the copy cells B1:D3 to C6:E8. To do this,
select cells A1:C3 (the easiest way to do this is by moving the mouse to B1, holding
down the left mouse button and dragging down to D3) “Ctrl-C” and select cell C6
then “Ctrl-V”. Your excel spreadsheet will then look like this: (Let us denote “A” as
“D” here.)

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Input also the Dx, Dy and Dz by replacing the x,y and z components with the
constant. Your spreadsheet will be:

To add borders, first matrix D, select cells C6:E8, right click, select format cell,
the select borders then click the boarder left and right, OK. Do this step to all
matrices.

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To compute for the determinant:

For Matrix D, click cell F7, type =MDETERM (double click it when it appears)
then select cells C6:E8 and press Enter. Do this also to get the determinants of other
matrices.

We have the determinants that we need. We can now solve for the solution set
of the system. To do this, input x, y, z below:

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(
To solve for x, select cell C22, x=
Dx
D )
is tℎe formula type “=” then click cell F11
click “/” then click cell F7 then Enter. *do this for y and z. We now have the solution
set of the system.

E. ACTIVITY

Instructions: Provide numerical solution to the problem below using Excel. Send
your excel file to your Instructor on messenger or email address:
jessani.llanto@wpu.edu.ph

Solve for the solution set of the system

1. 2x2
x − y=2
x +4 y=5
2. 3x3
x + y + z=0
2 x − y − 4 z=15
x − 2 y − z =7

F. POST-TEST

Instructions: Provide numerical solution to the problem below using Excel. Send
your excel file to your Instructor on messenger or email address:
jessani.llanto@wpu.edu.ph

Solve for the solution set of the system

1. 4x4

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a. using Cramer’s Rule

b. using excel

−3 x +9 y −18 z+ 21 k=− 6
2 x − 6 y+ 13 z −16 k =2
3 x − 6 y +14 z − 13 k=8
−2 x +7 y − 14 z +17 k =−3

2. Compare your experience on solving this problems with and without the use of
excel.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

NOTE:
ACTIVITIES AND POST-TEST SHOULD BE IN 1 EXCEL FILE ONLY…

REFERENCES

Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists, Steven C.
Chapra, McGraw Hill, 2nd Edition 2007/2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTYObct_88E

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research and extension services.

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