Computer Algebra Recipes: A Gourmet’s Guide to the Mathematical Models of Science (Undergraduate Texts in Contemporary Physics) - Hardcover

Enns, Richard; McGuire, George C.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0387951482 ISBN 13: 9780387951485

Publisher: Springer, 2001

Synopsis

Computer algebra systems have the potential to revolutionize the teaching of and learning of science. Not only can students work thorough mathematical models much more efficiently and with fewer errors than with pencil and paper, they can also work with much more complex and computationally intensive models. Thus, for example, in studying the flight of a golf ball, students can begin with the simple parabolic trajectory, but then add the effects of lift and drag, of winds, and of spin. Not only can the program provide analytic solutions in some cases, it can also produce numerical solutions and graphic displays.
Aimed at undergraduates in their second or third year, this book is filled with examples from a wide variety of disciplines, including biology, economics, medicine, engineering, game theory, physics, chemistry. The text is organized along a spiral, revisiting general topics such as graphics, symbolic computation, and numerical simulation in greater detail and more depth at each turn of the spiral.
The heart of the text is a large number of computer algebra recipes. These have been designed not only to provide tools for problem solving, but also to stimulate the reader's imagination. Associated with each recipe is a scientific model or method and a story that leads the reader through steps of the recipe. Each section of recipes is followed by a set of problems that readers can use to check their understanding or to develop the topic further.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Modern computer algebra systems are revolutionizing the teaching and learning of mathematically intensive subjects in science and engineering, enabling students to explore increasingly complex and computationally intensive models that provide analytic solutions, animated numerical solutions, and complex two- and three-dimensional graphic displays. This self-contained text benefits from a spiral structure that regularly revisits the general topics of graphics, symbolic computation, and numerical simulation with increasing intricacy at each turn. The text is built around a large number of computer algebra worksheets or "recipes" that have been designed using MAPLE to provide tools for problem solving and to stimulate critical thinking. No prior knowledge of MAPLE is assumed. All relevant commands are introduced on a need-to-know basis and are indexed for easy reference. Each recipe is associated with a scientific model or method and an interesting or amusing story designed to both entertain and enhance concept comprehension and retention. All recipes are included on the CD-ROM enclosed with the book. Aimed at third- and fourth-year undergraduates in science and engineering, the text contains numerous examples in disciplines that will challenge students progressing in mathematics, physics, engineering, game theory, and physical chemistry. Computer Algebra Recipes: An Advanced Guide to Mathematical Modeling can serve as an effective computational science text, with a set of problems following each section of recipes to enable readers to apply and confirm their understanding. The book may also be used as a reference, for self-study, or as the basis of an online course.

Review

From the reviews:

"In the book, the authors are showing the reader what they can do with Maple 6, and they can do a lot. Simply flipping the pages of the book, the reader might get very inspired by the formulas and pictures. ...  Most of the text I covered up to now contains useful and exciting examples ... . the book is definitely very useful for educators ... ." (L. Kocbach, Computer Physics Communications, Vol. 144, 2002)

"This book captures the essence of the CAS approach and it is the best book of its kind that I am aware of. The level of mathematics, the eclectic, abundant and carefully selected problem set, the friendly and expansive text and the clear demonstration of the power of the CAS approach all add up to a first rate book. ... I highly recommend that you get your library to order a copy." (B.I. Henry, The Physicist, Vol. 39 (2), 2002)

"This book is a readable introduction to Maple, a computer algebra system. The authors present real life situations, describe them in the language of mathematics, and then use Maple to find or deduce conclusions, predictions and classifications of each of these situations." (Václav Koubek, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 976, 2002)

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0387951482
• ISBN 13: 9780387951485
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 792