Inverse Problems : Activites for Undergraduates

C.W. Groetsch

ISBN 10: 0883857162 / ISBN 13: 9780883857168

Published by Mathematical Association of America, 81, 1999

About this Item

Text in English. 222 pp. Couple pencil markings on one page. Inverse problems are hard to define. Yet nearly all mathematicians recognize an inverse problem when they see one. As children we learn about the direct problem of multiplication; given two numbers we find their product. The corresponding inverse problem is to find a pair of factors of a given number. This book introduces mathematics instructors to inverse problems and provides them with resources that are useful for teaching the lessons of inverse problems to students in the first two undergraduate years. The problems are introduced by an historical essay that provides, without any formal mathematics, a scientific and cultural context for the mathematical lessons that follow. The next four chapters deal with inverse problems in Precalculus, Calculus, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra. Each chapter contains six modules on specific inverse problems in the subject matter of the chapter. The modules consist of brief introductions for the teacher, an Activities section for students, and a concluding section of notes and suggestions for further reading Scripts in MATLAB keyed to Computations in the modules are provided in an appendix (the M-files may be downloaded from the author's Webpage). Each module opens with advice on the course level of the module, mathematical and scientific prerequisites, and the type of technology appropriate for the module.

Seller Inventory # 3552

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Inverse Problems : Activites for Undergraduates
• Publisher: Mathematical Association of America, 81
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0883857162
• ISBN 13: 9780883857168
• Binding: Soft Cover
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Mathematics

About this title

Synopsis

Problem solving in mathematics is often thought of as a one way process. For example: take two numbers and multiply them together. However for each problem there is also an inverse problem which runs in the opposite direction: now take a number and find a pair of factors. Such problems are considerably more important, in mathematics and throughout science, than they might first appear. This book concentrates on these inverse problems and how they can be usefully introduced to undergraduate students. A historical introduction sets the scene and gives a cultural context for what the rest of the book. Chapters dealing with inverse problems in calculus, differential equations and linear algebra then follow and the book concludes with suggestions for further reading. Whatever their own field of expertise, this will be an essential purchase for anyone interested in the teaching of mathematics.

Book Description

Inverse problems are considerably more important, in mathematics and throughout science, than they might first appear. This book concentrates on inverse problems and how they can be usefully introduced to undergraduate students.