Microcomputers and mathematics / J. W. Bruce, P. J. Giblin, P. J. Rippon

This book is intended for anyone who has some mathematical knowledge and a little experience with programming a micro-computer in BASIC or any other language. The book shows how simple programs can be used to do significant mathematics. As for programming, the knowledge is assumed very small and most programs are given full listings in the text. There are two chapters (1 and 4) on integers. The topics covered include highest common factors, continued fractions, quadratic residues and prime numbers. In Chapter 4 a section is included on manipulation of large numbers by multi-precision arithmetic. Solution of equations by approximate means, including the use of approximations to find complex solutions, is the subject of Chapter 2. Chapter 2 is all numerical work, graphs of functions being left to Chapter 3, where there is a section on approximation of functions by polynomials. Curves continue in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 is about special numbers as square roots. Chapter 7 is on differential equations. The question about some iterative processes is studied in Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 contains the quadratic iteration. The various chapters of the book are largely independent of one another and many exercises and projects are included. The book can be also used as the basis for a course in algorithmic mathematics. (Zentralblatt)

Bibliogr. p 416. Index