EHAEM4A
Advanced Engineering
Mathematics
Introduction to Numerical Methods
www.vut.ac.za
05/02/2025 1
Tshepo Mothudi
ADMIN
Welcome to
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
EHAEM4A
Lecturer : Mr Tshepo Mothudi
Office : S 302
Email : tshepo.m1@vut.ac.za
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ADMIN
Welcome to
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
EHAEM4A
• CASS subject
• Blended Classes: Contact & Online
• Assessments weights [20%,20%,20%, and 40%]
• Minimum final mark 50% to Pass
• Go through the learner guide for more
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ADMIN
Welcome to
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
EHAEM4A
• The purpose of this course is to provide a formal introduction to numerical methods in chemical engineering
and their implementation for practical problems.
• It introduces computational techniques that are important in the solution of a variety of mathematical
problems that cannot be solved analytically.
• It is designed to familiarize the student with ideas of convergence analysis of numerical methods and other
analytical aspects associated with numerical computation.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
• Understand the foundation behind the basic numerical methods
• Solve system of linear equations
• Model engineering systems using first and second order differential equations and solve
equations both analytically and numerically
• Formulate and apply numerical techniques for root finding, curve fitting, differentiation and
integration of single and multiple sets of initial value problems
• Apply shooting and finite difference methods to solve boundary value problems
• Be able to solve a variety of Differential Equations.
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COURSE TOPICS
1. Introduction to numerical methods
2. Numerical solution of simultaneous linear algebraic equations
3. Numerical solution of non-linear equations
4. Finite difference methods and interpolation
5. Numerical differentiation and integration
6. Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations (ODEs)
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INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS
• Many real-world engineering problems are governed by mathematical equations that cannot be solved
using analytical methods.
• Majority of these problems can be converted into computable forms (discretized) using fundamental
ideas in approximation methods or theories.
• These methods include interpolation, extrapolation, curve fitting and integration techniques, solving
non-linear equations, systems of linear equations and differential equations.
What are numerical methods?
• These are methods that are employed to provide approximate solutions to complex engineering problems.
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INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS
Example: Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor
• Isothermal CSTR with two perfectly mixed elementary reactions, with constant
reactor volume and volumetric flow rate.
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INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS
Example: Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor
• Concentration of each species governed by set of mass balances
Mass Balances: Accumulation = Inflow – Outflow + Reactions
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INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS
Example: Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor
• Accumulation = 0 at steady state
• Use numerical methods to solve multiple equations
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INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS
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INTRODUCTION TO NUMERICAL METHODS
Component Mass Balances
We are going to explore numerical methods to find
solution to the above equations.
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Questions?
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THANK YOU
See you in the next class
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