This book is a gentle and sympathetic introduction to many of the
problems of scientific computing, and the wide variety of methods used
for their solutions. It is ideal for students taking a first course in
numerical mathematics who need a low level entry to the subject. It
gives an appreciation of the need for numerical methods for the solution
of different types of problem, and discusses basic approaches. For each
of the problems, at least some mathematical justification and examples
provide both practical evidence and motivations for the reader to
follow. Practical justification of the methods is presented through
computer examples and exercises. The book also includes an introduction
to MATLAB, but the code used is not intended to exemplify sophisticated
or robust pieces of software; it is purely illustrative of the methods
under discussion.