Bab 1

Mathematical Modeling,Numerical Methods, and Problem Solving

Chapter Objectives
The primary objective of this chapter is to provide you with a concrete idea of what
numerical method are and how they relate to engineering and scientific problem
solving. spesific objectives and scientific problem solving. specific objectives and topics
covered are
 learning how mathematical models can be formulated on the basic of scientific
principles to simulate the behavior of a simple physical system.
 understanding how numerical method afford a means to generate solutions in a
manner that can be implemented on a digital computer.
 Understanding the different types of conservation laws that lie beneath the
models used in the various engineering disciplines and appreciating the
difference between steady-state and dynamic solutions of these models.
 Learning about the different types of numerical methods we will cover in this
book.

YOU’VE GOT A PROBLEM

uppose that a bungee-jumping company hires you. You.re given the

S
task of predicting the velocity of a jumper (Fig. 1.1) as a function of time
during the free-fall part of the jump. This information will be used as
part of a larger analysis to determine the length and required strength
of the bungee cord for jumpers of different mass.
You know from your studies of physics that the acceleration should be
equal to the ratio of the force to the mass (Newton.s second law). Based on this insight
and your knowledge of physics and fluid mechanics, you develop the following
mathematical model for the rate of change of velocity with respect to time,

dv Cd 2
=g− v
dt m

where v=¿downward velocity (m/s), t=time ( s ) , g=¿ the acceleration

due to gravity (≅ 9.81m/s 2 ¿ , c d =¿a "lumped" because its magnitude
depends on factors such as the jumper.s area and the fluid density (see
Sec. 1.4). Because this is a differential equation, you know that calculus
might be used to obtain an analytical or exact solution for v as a
function of t. However, in the following pages, we will illustrate an
 alternative solution approach. This will involve developing a
computeroriented
numerical or approximate solution. Aside from showing you how the computer can
be used to solve this particular problem, our more general objective will be to
illustrate (a) what numerical methods are and (b) how they figure in engineering and
scientific problem solving. In so doing, we will also show how mathematical models
figure prominently in the way engineers and scientists use numerical methods in
their work.

A SIMPLE MATHEMATICAL MODEL

A mathematical model can be broadly defined as a formulation or equation that
expresses
the essential features of a physical system or process in mathematical terms. In a very
general sense, it can be represented as a functional relationship of the form

Dependent
variable
= f (variable fucntions )
ind ependent , parameters , forcing (1.1)

where the dependent variable is a characteristic that typically reflects the behavior or
state of the system; the independent variables are usually dimensions, such as time and
space, along which the system.s behavior is being determined; the parameters are
reflective of the system.s properties or composition; and the forcing functions are external
influences acting upon it.
The actual mathematical expression of Eq. (1.1) can range from a simple algebraic
relationship to large complicated sets of differential equations. For example, on the basis
of his observations, Newton formulated his second law of motion, which states that the
time rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the resultant force acting on it.
The mathematical expression, or model, of the second law is the well-known equation
F=ma (1.2 )
where F is the net force acting on the body (N, or kg m/s 2), m is the mass of the object
(kg), and a is its acceleration (m/ s2).
The second law can be recast in the format of Eq. (1.1) by merely dividing both sides
by m to give
F
a=
m

where a is the dependent variable reflecting the system.s behavior, F is the forcing
function, and m is a parameter. Note that for this simple case there is no independent
variable because we are not yet predicting how acceleration varies in time or space.
Equation (1.3) has a number of characteristics that are typical of mathematical models of
the physical world.
 It describes a natural process or system in mathematical terms.
 It represents an idealization and simplification of reality. That is, the model
ignores negligible details of the natural process and focuses on its essential
manifestations. Thus, the second law does not include the effects of relativity
that are of minimal importance when applied to objects and forces that interact
on or about the earth.s surface at velocities and on scales visible to humans.
 Finally, it yields reproducible results and, consequently, can be used for
predictive purposes. For example, if the force on an object and its mass are
known, Eq. (1.3) can be used to compute acceleration.
Because of its simple algebraic form, the solution of Eq. (1.2) was obtained easily.
However, other mathematical models of physical phenomena may be much more
complex, and either cannot be solved exactly or require more sophisticated
mathematical techniques than simple algebra for their solution. To illustrate a more
complex model of this kind, Newton.s second law can be used to determine the terminal
velocity of a free-falling body near the earth.s surface. Our falling body will be a bungee
jumper (Fig. 1.1). For this case, a model can be derived by expressing the acceleration as
the time rate of change of the velocity (dv/dt) and substituting it into Eq. (1.3) to yield

dv F
= (1.4)
dt m

where v is velocity (in meters per second). Thus, the rate of change of the velocity is
equal
to the net force acting on the body normalized to its mass. If the net force is positive, the
object will accelerate. If it is negative, the object will decelerate. If the net force is zero,
the
object.s velocity will remain at a constant level.
Next, we will express the net force in terms of measurable variables and parameters. For
a body falling within the vicinity of the earth, the net force is composed of two opposing
forces: the downward pull of gravity FD and the upward force of air resistance FU (Fig.
1.1):
F=F D + F u
If force in the downward direction is assigned a positive sign, the second law can be
used to formulate the force due to gravity as
F d=mg
where gis the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/ s2 ¿ .