Brief Introduction to Numerical Analysis

This is an advanced textbook based on lectures given at the Moscow Physico-Technical Institute. The lectures are characterized by brevity, logical organization, and occasionally a lighthearted approach. It aims to involve the reader by asking questions, hinting, giving recommendations, comparing different methods, and discussing "optomistic" and "pessemistic" approaches to numerical analysis. Since matrix analysis underlies numerical analysis, this text emphasizes methods and algorithms of matrix analysis. Function approximations, methods of solving nonlinear equations, and minimization methods are also considered. As well as considering classical methods, new methods and approaches are discussed - such as spectral distribution theory and what it offers for design and proof of modern preconditioning strategies for large-scale linear algebra problems.

"The title of this book reflects its structure and style with great exactness... The presentation of the material is very clear and supported by properly chosen exercises of good didactic value added to each lecture." - Zentralblatt Math "[The book] is a short and elegant coupling of simplicity and very deep resultsa ][It] can be used both as an introduction and a refinement to a university course. Students [in] mathematics and physics but also other advanced readers and experienced researchers find both the classical fundamental results and new visions and ideas while reading this nice book." - ZAA