Description: Unique in content and approach, this book covers all the topics that are usually covered in an introduction to scientific computing -- but folds in graphics and matrix-vector manipulation in a way that gets readers to appreciate the connection between continuous mathematics and computing. MATLAB 5 is used throughout to encourage experimentation, and each chapter focuses on a different important theorem -- allowing readers to appreciate the rigorous side of scientific computing. In addition to standard topical coverage, each chapter includes 1) a sketch of a "hard" problem that involves ill-conditioning, high dimension, etc.; 2) at least one theorem with both a rigorous proof and a "proof by MATLAB" experiment to bolster intuition; 3) at least one recursive algorithm; and 4) at least one connection to a real-world application. The book revolves around examples that are packaged in 200+ M-files, which, collectively, communicate all the key mathematical ideas and an appreciation for the subtleties of numerical computing.

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