Course Overview: This course is an introduction to mathematical algorithms; i.e., procedures which one can carry out to achieve a desired result. Such procedures arise throughout mathematics both Pure and Applied.
Learning Outcomes: Students should appreciate the concept of an algorithm, understand the questions we ask about algorithms and be able to construct simple algorithms for the solution of certain elementary problems. Verification that certain procedures should work under appropriate conditions will give students good examples of the application of real analysis and implementation will require them to be able to make and run simple procedures in Matlab.
Course Synopsis: The Division Algorithm on Integers, Euclid's Algorithm including proof of termination with highest common factor. The solution of simple linear Diophantine equations. Examples.
Division and Euclid's algorithm for real polynomials. Examples.
Root finding for real polynomials. Fixed point iterations, examples. Convergence. Existence of fixed points and convergence of fixed point iterations by the contraction mapping theorem (using the mean value theorem).
Newton iteration. Quadratic convergence. Horner's Rule.
