PITFALLS IN COMPUTATION, OR WHY A MATH BOOK ISN'T ENOUGH

Abstract

The floating-point number system is contrasted with the real numbers. The author then illustrates the variety of computational pitfalls a person can fall into who merely translates information gained from pure mathematics courses into computer programs. Examples include summing a Taylor series, solving a quadratic equation, solving linear algebraic systems, solving ordinary and partial differential equations, and finding polynomial zeros. It is concluded that mathematics courses should be taught with a greater awareness of automatic computation.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1970
Accession Number
AD0699897

Entities

People

  • George E. Forsythe

Organizations

  • Stanford University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algebra
  • Complex Numbers
  • Computations
  • Computer Programs
  • Computer Science
  • Difference Equations
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Floating Point Operations
  • Linear Algebraic Equations
  • Numbers
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Real Numbers
  • Real Variables
  • Theorems

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Educational Psychology
  • Linear Algebra