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—_———
Science and Numerical
Methods
Book: A Journey Through Computational Science and Numerical
Methods: An Undergraduate Guide
Prof. John B. Oladosu
Lecture 2: Mathematical Foundations2.1 Fundamentals of Calculus
* Calculus forms the bedrock of mathematical analysis
in Computational Science.
* It provides the tools to understand how quantities
change and is essential for modeling dynamic
systems.
* Two core branches of calculus are integral calculus
and differential calculus.2.1.1 Differential Calculus
Differential calculus focuses on rates of change and slopes of curves. Key
concepts include:
Derivatives: The derivative of a function measures how it changes at a specific
point. It is defined as the limit of the ratio of the change in the function's output
to the change in its input as the change approaches zero.
Rules of Differentiation: Various rules, such as the product rule, chain rule, and
quotient rule, enable us to differentiate complex functions by breaking them
down into simpler parts.
Applications: Differential calculus is used in optimization problems, physics
(e.g., describing motion), and many other fields to understand how quantities
change with respect to each other.2.1.2 Integral Calculus
Integral calculus deals with accumulation and integration of quantities. Key
concepts include:
Definite and Indefinite Integrals: The definite integral computes the
accumulated quantity over a specified interval, while the indefinite integral finds
an antiderivative of a function.
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: This theorem connects differentiation and
integration, stating that the integral of a function's derivative over an interval is
equal to the difference in the function's values at the interval's endpoints.
Applications: Integral calculus is used for finding areas under curves,
calculating total accumulated quantities (e.g., total distance traveled), and
solving differential equations.2.2 Linear Algebra
Linear algebra provides tools to work with vectors, matrices, and linear transformations. It is
indispensable in Computational Science for solving systems of linear equations and understanding
multidimensional data.
+ 2.2.1 Vectors and Matrices
{1 Vectors: Vectors represent quantities with both magnitude and direction. They are used to
describe positions, velocities, forces, and more. In computational applications, vectors are
essential for data storage and manipulation.
{i Matrices: Matrices are arrays of numbers arranged in rows and columns. They are used to
represent linear transformations, solve systems of linear equations, and perform operations like
matrix multiplication.
+ 2.2.2 Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
+ Eigenvalues and eigenvectors are crucial concepts in linear algebra, especially in numerical
simulations and optimization. They describe how a matrix behaves when multiplied by itself
repeatedly. Eigenvalues represent scaling factors, while eigenvectors define the directions of
stretching or compression.2.3 Differential Equations
+ Differential equations are fundamental in modeling dynamic systems where quantities change with respect to
time or other independent variables. There are two main types:
+ 2.3.1 Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs)
+ ODEs describe how a single variable changes with respect to an independent variable (usually time). They are
classified by their order, which represents the highest derivative involved.
5 First-Order ODEs: These involve the first derivative of the unknown function. They are often used to model
simple exponential growth or decay.
)) Second-Order ODEs: These involve the second derivative and are used to describe oscillations, such as the
motion of a pendulum.
+ 2.3.2 Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
+ PDEs involve multiple variables and their partial derivatives. They are used to model phenomena like heat
diffusion, fluid flow, and electromagnetic fields.
3. Classification: PDEs can be categorized into elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic types based on their
characteristics and mathematical properties.2.4 Probability and Statistics
Probability and statistics provide the tools for dealing with uncertainty, randomness, and data analysis. Key
concepts include
+ 2.4.1 Probability
5. Probability Distributions: These describe the likelihood of different outcomes in random experiments.
‘Common distributions include the normal distribution, binomial distribution, and Poisson distribution
5. Random Variables: Random variables represent outcomes of random experiments and have associated
probability distributions.
+ 2.4.2 Statistics
Descriptive Statistics: Descriptive statistics summarize and present data, including measures of central
tendency (mean, median, mode), dispersion (variance, standard deviation), and percentiles.
41 Inferential Statistics: inferential statistics involve making inferences or predictions about a population based
‘on a sample. Techniques include hypothesis testing and confidence intervals.
3) Regression Analysis: Regression analysis models the relationship between variables and is used for
prediction and understanding causal relationships.2.5 Discrete Mathematics
Discrete mathematics deals with countable and distinct objects. It plays a
crucial role in algorithm design, graph theory, and combinatorics, which are
essential in Computational Science.
2.5.1 Graph Theory
Graph theory studies networks of nodes and edges. It is used in various
applications, including network analysis, social networks, and transportation
planning
2.5.2 Combinatorics
Combinatorics explores counting and arranging objects. It is vital in analyzing
permutations, combinations, and probabilities in discrete structures.
Understanding these mathematical foundations is essential for developing the
analytical and problem-solving skills required in Computational Science. In the
subsequent chapters, we will apply these mathematical concepts to solve
complex problems using computational methods.