Introduction to Maple

1
Introduction to Maple

• MATH 272
• Alan Ableson

2
Numerical Methods

• are ways to quantify, predict, dissect, model
• What specific kinds of questions can they help to
  answer?
• "Why am I taking numerical methods?"

3
Exercise

• For one of the following areas, think of a
  scenario or design problem in it
• Then write down a question on a piece of paper,
  something like
• "What would we need" or "what happens if we
  changed X to Y"

4
Examples

• Area Heat Flow
• how do we determine the size and shape of a
  radiator in a car?
• Area Power Generation
• How can we predict the power output of a proposed
  dam site?

5
Process
Take one minute and write down one specific
question - Use a separate piece of paper
Introduce yourself, then compare and discuss your
questions with your neighbour
6
Examples
7
Continued
8
Finding the numerical method

• Question
• What information would be relevant?
• What information would be available?
• How would your information connect to the
  question asked?

9
Continued
10
That's "Why" now How

• Course will be quite different this year from
  previous years
• Emphasis on practical skills
• Previously Not all students learned to use
  MATLAB
• Practice will be incorporated into the lecture
  time
• Previously Applications not clear
• Response Project component

11
The Course

• Four Major Components
• Assignments
• not to be handed in solutions provided with
  questions
• practice for the
• Bi-weekly lab tests
• Project to tie together applications of the
  methods
• Final lab test at end of term
• No written final exam

12
The Mechanics

• Lectures
• bring laptops will do MATLAB in class

• Labs
• chance to do the practice assignments before the
  lab test

• "Tutorials"
• time for the bi-weekly lab tests
• will be used later in the term for project
  presentations

13
Project

• Will use a combination of the class techniques
  applied to
• statics
• kinematics
• heat transfer
• Student project ideas will also be encouraged
• Projects will be introduced as the course
  progresses

14
Mark Distribution

• 5 Lab Tests 30 (6 each)
• 1 hour each
• describe in more detail before first test
• Project 30
• Final 3 Hour Lab Test 40
• if higher, project 40, lab test 30

15
Textbook and Resources

• On-line text
• Save your money for MATLAB!
• MATLAB software available in bookstore
• WebCT will be used for discussion groups and mark
  posting
• Course web site will be used for slides,
  resources

16
Questions?
17
Next Class

• Introduction to MATLAB
• Solving systems of linear equations