Overview of Numerical Methods

or Computational Techniques
By : Dr. Atul R. Phadke
Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering Pune (Maharashtra)
OBJECTIVES:
After studying this unit, you will be able to understand:
✓ What are numerical methods?
✓ Why should you study numerical methods?
✓ What are course outcomes (COs) of this course?

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WHAT ARE NUMERICAL METHODS?:
Numerical methods are techniques by which mathematical
problems are formulated so that they can be solved with
arithmetic and logical operations.
Digital computers are used for performing such operations.
Numerical methods are also referred as Computational
techniques.
Numerical Methods or Computational Techniques use
computers to solve problems which are tedious and
unsolvable by hand calculations using step-wise, repeated
and iterative methods.

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WHY SHOULD YOU STUDY THESE NUMERICAL METHODS?:
▪ Very popular due to the availability of fast, inexpensive digital
computers.
▪ These methods are capable of handling large systems of
equations, nonlinearities, and complicated geometries which are
very difficult or impossible to solve analytically.
▪ Commercially available, pre-packaged computer programs can be
used with better insight.
▪ You can design your own programs to solve engineering problems
if you are conversant with numerical methods and computer
programming.
▪ Can provide additional insights into various engineering problems.
Numerical Methods or Computational Techniques should be a part of
every engineer’s basic education.
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CORSE OUTCOMES:
At the end of this course students will demonstrate the ability to:

▪ Understand various aspects of MATAB/Scilab and their utility as tool

in coding various numerical methods.

▪ Application of various numerical methods for analysis of Electrical

Engineering problems.

▪ Develop MATLAB/ Scilab programs for numerical methods.