I’m taking a class right now in computational economics and one of the books I’m using is Numerical Mathematics by Hammerlin and Hoffmann. The problem is that this book really makes my head hurt, as it assumes a level of mathematical familiarity that is beyond me. Does anyone know of any books out there that can make the learning curve a little easier on me? Something like a Numerical Mathematics for Dummies?This stuff is fascinating but it might as well be written in Japanese.
You’re going to run into a bit of a problem here, as numerical analysis (the common name for the subject you’re talking about) just isn’t all that simple, and most of the books are written for people with a very strong background in math.
I suggest you go over to Amazon and do a search for “numerical analysis”. Pick a book that has good reviews and is fairly cheap.
(Second try.)
Actually there’s a spectrum: Numerical Analysis (or “Num Anal”) is very theoretical. Lot’s of delta’s and epsilons. But Num Anal books usually display a shocking ignorance of time/space complexity or practical matters. At the other end is Numerical Methods. Epitomized by Foreman Acton’s “Numerical Methods that (Usually) Work” book. Try something, if it takes too long or doesn’t work, patch it or try something else. Very pragmatic. Numerical Math lies in between.
Azael. Chapter 4 is going to kill you. Start making plans based on that. If you are in trouble this early, there’s really no magic bullet.