University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

Numerical Methods
MECN3031A/MECN3032A/CHMT3008A
Course Description 2022

1 Staff Members

Course Coordinator: Dr Thama Duba (thama.duba1@wits.ac.za)

Lecturer: Dr Olumuyiwa Otegbeye

Office Number: 115 (Maths Sciences Building - MSB)
Telephone number: 0117176163
Email: olumuyiwa.otegbeye@wits.ac.za
Course page: https://courses.ms.wits.ac.za/moodle/course/view.php?id=242

2 Timetable for Lectures and Tutorials

There will be two lecture periods per week:

• Tuesday 12:30-13:15

• Friday 08:00-9:45 Consultation: MSB 115 10:00 - 12:00

2.1. Lectures will be conducted on Fridays and sometimes on Tuesdays.

2.2. Tuesdays will also be used to conduct tutorials and Laboratory work. If physical lab
sessions will be held, information will be conducted before the second semester commences.

2.3. Moodle will be used to store all information regarding the course including, lecture notes,
videos, assessments, and announcements.

2.4. When necessary, Microsoft teams will be used to conduct live lectures and discussions.

2.5. Chat forums will be conducted via Moodle.

2.6. Ulwazi will not be used (Please use the link https://courses.ms.wits.ac.za/moodle/
course/view.php?id=242 to access the course on Moodle early).

2.7. Python is the programming language for this course. It is advisable to use jupyter note-
books to write the python codes. Documentation on this will be sent out early.

2.8. Matlab usage is also allowed.

3 Course Background, Goals and Outcomes

The Numerical Methods course serves as a continuation from the first year program into the
most important areas of computational mathematics with emphasis on algorithms for solving
practical problems. This course will introduce numerical techniques for solving mathematical
problems using computers. The aim of the course is:

3.1. To present numerical techniques used to solve various models that arise in different prac-
tical applications.

3.2. To recognise and use suitable numerical methods for different situations as they arise in
solving practical problems.

The following outcomes are expected for this course,

• To recognise selected numerical methods and apply them to a given problem.

• To select appropriate numerical methods to use for a given problem and compute approx-
imate solutions.

• Where possible, to compare the solutions from numerical methods to analytical solutions
and the error from the numerical approximation estimated.

• To relate different techniques to solving various aspects of a given problem.

• To develop strong programming skills towards the implementation of numerical methods.

4 Syllabus

4.1. Preliminaries:

• Computer Arithmetic,
• Round off error,
• Norm of vectors,
• Matrices.

4.2. Systems of Linear Equations:

• Direct Methods:
– Gaussian Elimination,
– LU decomposition,
– Tridiagonal systems.
• Iterative Methods:
– Jacobi Method,
– Gauss-Seidel Method,
– Successive Over-relaxation Method (SOR Method).

4.3. Zeros of Nonlinear Equations:

• One nonlinear equation in one variable:

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 – Bisection Method,
– False Position Method,
– Fixed Point Methods.
• Newton’s Method for systems of non-linear equations.

4.4. Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors: Will be summarily looked into.

4.5. Polynomial Interpolation and Least Square Approximation:

• Linear Interpolation,
• Quadratic Interpolation,
• Lagrange Interpolating Polynomial,
• Divided Difference,
• Newton-Gregory,
• Cubic Splines Interpolation,

4.6. Numerical Differentiation:

• Difference Methods,
• Richardson’s Extrapolation.

4.7. Numerical Integration:

• Trapezoidal Rule,
• Simpson’s Rule,
• Romberg Integration.

4.8. Numerical Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations:

• Initial Value Problems:

– Euler’s Method,
– Higher Order Taylor Methods,
– Runge-Kutta Methods,
– Systems of First Order ODEs,
– Runge-Kutta Methods for systems.
• Boundary Value Problems:
– Linear Shooting Method,
– Finite Difference Methods.

5 Assessment

There will be two quizzes and a lab assessment (in python) to be taken online. There will be
two tests and a final examination to be taken on campus.

Thus, the final course mark is made up as follows:

• Continuous Assessment 60%

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 – Consisting of 2 physical tests (30%), two online quizzes (20%), and one lab assessment
(10%).

• Final Examination (physically) 40%.

Note! The physical assessment is subject to change in line with government regulation at the
time. The assessment can be moved to online in the event of change.

Test date(s): To be announced.

Sub-minimum: For the students of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering, there
is a sub-minimum on the Mathematics component of the MECN3031A MECN3032A course of
40%. If you do not attain at least 40% for the Mathematics component, you will not obtain
credit for the course.

6 Other Information

6.1. Purchase an inexpensive scientific calculator for this course. The calculator should be able
to:

• Store information (memory register)

• take
– square roots,
– exponentials,
– reciprocals.
• take in
– trigonometric functions,
– logarithmic functions,
– exponential functions.

Note: Calculators that have graphical dis-

plays and/or are programmable are not
permitted.
6.2. For the lab component and for the online assessments, it is advisable to have access to a
computer.

6.3. Textbooks and Required Reading: There is no set textbook for this course. The
handed out material will cover all required coursework. However, you are encouraged
to make use of the library for additional resources on python programming, numerical
analysis and methods. The Geomaths library has ample resources for your perusal.

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