THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA(TUK)

DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE & AVIATION ENGINEERING

NUMERICAL METHODS
EEAQ 3204
LECTURER: MS LOISE
ASSIGNMENT ONE.

KELVIN NYONGESA
EMAQ/01511/2017
BENG AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING.
ASSIGNMENT ONE
QUESTIONS
1.What is numericl methods?
Numerical methods refers to an area of mathematics and computer science that creates,
analyzes, and implements algorithms for obtaining numerical solutions to problems involving
continuous variables. Such problems arise throughout the natural sciences, social sciences,
engineering, medicine, and business. The growth in power and availability of digital
computers has led to an increasing use of realistic mathematical models in science and
engineering, and numerical analysis of increasing sophistication is needed to solve these more
detailed models of the world.

2.Why study numerical methods?

 Numerical methods are capable of handling large systems of equations,and different
degrees of nonlinearities which are common in engineering practice. Thus numerical
methods studies will be of great importance for an engineer to study and get a better
understanding on how to solve the various complex mathematical models encountered in
the enginnering world.
 Numerical methods can handle any complicated physical geometries which are often
impossible to solve analytically. They also provide a widespread use of the language and
results of linear algebra, real analysis and functional analysis which need a better
understanding for the solution of real world sysytem equations.
 Error approximation is also a key feature encountered in numerical methods. When
approximating a problem it is prudent to understand the nature of the error in the
computed solution. Understanding of the form of that given error allows creation of
extrapolation process to improve the convergence behaviour of the numerical method.
All this require a clear and better understanding of numerical methods and analysis.

3. What are the applications of numerical methods to engineering?(Aeronautical

engineering)?
 Numerical analysis and mathematical modeling are essential in many areas of modern
life epecially in Computer-aided engineering (CAE ) which is an important subject
within engineering. This involves the use of numerical techniques which is involved in
such mathematical models. For example in aviation, mathematical models are build to
analyse the motion of an aircraft or any air vehicle in terms of its position, orientation,
altitude, velocity and direction. This involves complex equations which requires the use
of numerical method techniques to compute.
 Air data computers are an integrated system of computers which carries out analysis of
the flight data for a given aircraft such as the vertical speed and heading. This computers
are installed with complex softwares that carrry out mathematical analysis by the use of
numerical methods to provide important flight data quantites which are vital to the flight
crew and aircraft control personell for safe landing.
 Aircraft system simulators are build for various aviation needs such as flight control
management, flight scheduling, avionics testing and aircraft accident investigation.
Simulator models follow basic Newtonian laws of mechanics to formulate differential-
algebraic systems which involves numerical analysis. A wide variety of numerical
analysis techniques are involved in solution to mathematical models representing this
systems.
 Mathematical models provide a priority estimates of performance of given aircraft when
prototypes or experiments are costly. Aeronautical ngineering problems frequently arise
in cases in which exact analytical solutions are not available. Approximate solutions are
normally sufficient for such engineering applications, allowing the use of approximate
numerical methods.
REFERENCES
 Allison J.T ,2005 Applications of Numerical Methods in Engineering, Michigan.
 https://www.britannica.com/science/numerical-analysis
 https://www.researchgate.net/post/
What_are_the_advantages_of_numerical_method_over_analyatical_method2