Numerical method .
CHAPTER-ONE:
Mathematical Modeling, Number system and
Errors
Civil Engineering Department
Structural Engineering
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 1
Introduction
Numerical method used to obtain approximation value to exact
value to solve a mathematical model which represent physical
problem .
Many civil engineering problem can
be solved Using numerical method.
Eg. Models to accurately analyze 3D
structural frame
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 2
Introduction…
Numerical method and Analytic method
Numerical method use exact algorithms to present numerical
solutions to mathematical problems. It is an iterative method
Analytic method: use exact theorems to present formulas that
can be used to present numerical solutions to mathematical
problems. It is simple and fast to solve mathematical problems
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 3
Introduction …
Mathematical Modeling
Mathematical Modeling is modeling a given physical problem
into mathematical expression.
Modeling requirement
To get physically accurate result from analytical model:
Make reasonable assumption about physics: specify the behavior
Given assumptions: set up the mathematical model that best represent the phenomena
Make sure that the model is not applied to predict behavior out side its feasibility region
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 4
Introduction …
Number systems
Significant figures
Significant figures/digits of a number k any given digit of k , except possible for
zeros to the left of the first non zero digit these zeros serve only fix the position of
decimal place.
Ex1. 7845, 0.7568, 8.987 contains 4 significant figures
While the number 0.00386, 0.000634, 0.000000123 contain 3 significant figures
Ex2, 2500 may have 2, 3 & 4 significant figures depending on weather zeros are
known with confidence.
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 5
Introduction …
Number systems
Significant figures …
Remark : by using scientific notation, it can be resolve the above
uncertainty
Example: 2.5*103, 2.50*103 , 2.500*103 designates that the number is
known to 2, 3,& 4 significant figures respectively
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 6
Introduction…
Accuracy precision
Accuracy: refers to how closely a values agrees with the true value.
Precision: It refers to how closely the computed or measured values agree
with each other in repeated computation or measurement
Precision and accurate
imprecision and inaccurate
imprecision and accurate
precision and inaccurate
the given values (black dots) are
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true value
Numerical Method 7
Introduction …
Error
Error refers to the difference between the value which has been computed and
correct value.
types of error
inherent error/error: are errors which are present in the statement of the
problem before its solution
example. Area of circle , a continuous number
Rounding error: is the difference between a rounded-off numerical value and the
actual value. example, the irrational number pi equals approximately 3.14,
rounded to two decimal places or three significant digits but =3.1415926535897…
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 8
Introduction …
Error …
To round off a number at the nth decimal place
1. If (n+1)th digit is greater than 5, then increase the nth digit by 1
2. If (n+1)th digit is less than 5, then discard digit after the nth place
3. If (n+1)th digit is equal to 5, then
a. Increase the nth digit if it is odd
b. No change the nth digit if it is even
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 9
Introduction …
Error …
Truncation error results from ignoring all but a finite
number of terms of an infinite series.
example, A= the exponential function ex may be expressed as the
sum of the infinite series1 + x + x2/2 + x3/6 + ⋯ + xn/n!
Lets truncate it to A’ =1 + x + x2/2 + x3/6
E truncation = A - A’ = x4/24 + ⋯ + xn/n!
Exercise: truncate the given number at 3rd decimal place
a. 0.568934 b. 0.055555 c. 45.35690
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 10
Absolute error , relative error and percentage error
If B is a true value of a quantity and C us its approximate value
Absolute error: Ea = |B-C|
| B-C|
Relative error: Er =
|B|
| B-C|
Percentage Error :Ep = *100
| B|
Exercise: Round the number at 3rd decimal place and find absolute,
relative and percentage error
a. 0.568934 b. 0.055555 c. 45.35690
12/29/2025 Numerical Method 11
Any
Question!
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12/29/2025 Numerical Method 12