Computational Science and Engineering

How does one write a review on a computational science book, an academic area that to many is obtuse? Well, first, as a non-engineer or computational scientist, that I even understood enough to write a review speaks volumes to the clarity of this text. It does require a fundamental understanding of linear algebra and calculus. However, even in that regard, I imagine one could easily review the fundamentals either through Prof Strang's recent text (Differential Equations and Linear Algebra) or elsewhere. This book is a useful, actually essential, companion to his online OCW 18.085 course. It presents the facts around how continuous equations of calculus are discretised with linear algebra. It highlights how linear algebra, due to the fact of linearity, allows many non-linear and real world problems to be described and approximate solutions derived. However, the major element that makes this text different is the approach Prof. Strang adopts in his linking of linear algebra to the real problems he examines. It is a combination of passion for the subject area, an engaging and prosaic style of writing, and an approach at the frontier of teaching what in the past have been disparate and (in my experience) rather dull subject areas. This book perfectly illustrates the reality that linear algebra and the techniques it offers science is on the frontier of computation and real world analysis. This reality opens a vacuum for what is both a grounding and springboard text. However, the text also clearly takes the concepts raised to a depth mathematically that would satisfy all but the most trenchant purist. The problem sets are useful in developing concepts and are more than the often-found trickiness in other texts. They are accompanied by guiding comments, in places and solutions are available online, to allow more depth. I also note that the text represents many years experience of teaching and reflective analysis. One cannot conclude a review without also noting the quality of Prof Strang's academic credentials. Even a casual look at his CV illustrates that he is a luminary in that field. I also note that his 'academic ancestry' (doctoral supervisors) include mathematicians like Gauss, Hilbert and others around 8 steps back. This book has made me want to pursue the area further and, I hope, that alone would help people contemplate this as a course text or a highly useful addition to the serious student of applied mathematics library.

Textbook is very well organized, revealing related concepts in an orderly fashion for easy assimilation. I am fan of Prof. Strang and his uncanny ability to present his material in a clear and useful manner.

While I've only used this text for a couple of weeks, I find that it supports the MIT 18.085 video lectures nicely (which is it's purpose). It has been over 30 years since I had calculus and linear algebra, so this text makes for a good review and then some. The exercises with MATLAB (Octave in my case) is giving me great exposure to computational methods used by universities today. (I had previously been a Mathcad and C# user). The topics do move rapidly.

The author Gibert Strange is a very good author and has my mathematics books on the market.

As always, W. Gilbert Strang is a master at explaining difficult conceptsHe covers all relevant material including a quick overview of the basic introductory linear algebra that would be (and possiblyshould be) a prerequisite for the material.The lecture series available at the open course ware site at site of mit fits in perfectly with the book.For some one who likes to study on ones own, the book and the available lecture series are perfect.

What an amazing book!

Purchased book to help me follow the online MIT 18-085 lecture series by Strang. Am only five lectures into the series and have found the book to be helpful. Would like to locate a solutions manual for the problems so I can check my work. Purchased book "used" from HPB-Dallas for $54. The book I received was new unused!

Dr Strangs book, is simply a work of love. If you have no idea of computational engineering, yet you want to see a man who had spent a lifetime in love, and still burried deep within it, experience Dr Strang's words. Pure and perfect. His style unparalleled, his passion unbounded. It needs to be there on every engineers desk, regardless of his discipline.