Numerical Methods in Engineering with Python, Second Edition

This text is for engineering students and a reference for practising engineers, especially those who wish to explore Python. This new edition features 18 additional exercises and the addition of rational function interpolation. Brent’s method of root finding was replaced by Ridder’s method, and the Fletcher-Reeves method of optimization was dropped in favor of the downhill simplex method. Each numerical method is explained in detail, and its shortcomings are pointed out. The examples that follow individual topics fall into two categories: hand computations that illustrate the inner workings of the method and small programs that show how the computer code is utilized in solving a problem. This second edition also includes more robust computer code with each method. This code is made simple and easy to understand by avoiding complex bookkeeping schemes, while maintaining the essential features of the method.

• The major change in the second edition is the replacement of NumArray (a Python extension that implements array objects) with NumPy. The reason for the changeover is the imminent discontinuance of support for NumArray and its predecessor Numeric
• Rational function interpolation was added to Chapter 3
• Brent’s method of root finding in Chapter 4 was replaced by Ridder’s method
• The Fletcher-Reeves method of optimization was dropped in favor of the downhill simplex method in Chapter 10
• 18 additional exercises

About the Author

Jaan Kiusalaas is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Pennsylvania State University. He has taught numerical methods, including finite element and boundary element methods for over 30 years. He is also the co-author of four other works, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, and Mechanics of Materials and an alternate version of this work with MATLAB code.