How do we construct a continuous function from discrete data points?
Most textbooks start with code; Shen starts with catastrophe. The first chapter deals with floating-point arithmetic. She explains why 0.1 + 0.2 does not equal 0.3 in binary. She introduces:
Before diving into the PDF, it is crucial to understand the author’s perspective. Wen Shen is a Professor of Mathematics at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on hyperbolic conservation laws, traffic flow models, and nonlinear partial differential equations. However, she is equally renowned for her teaching excellence, particularly in numerical methods.
Shen’s approach in An Introduction to Numerical Computation is distinguished by three core principles:
For students, the name "Wen Shen" has become synonymous with a pain-free introduction to a notoriously difficult subject.
