Chapter 1. Iterative Methods

Summary

The purpose of the first three chapters is to establish a mathematical background and a computational nomenclature for the rest of the book. The intention is to start each separate group of topics at an elementary level but to follow a fairly steep learning curve using real-world exercises and Computer Projects drawn, in most cases, from the literature of experimental and computational chemistry. Chapter 1 starts with the idea of solving equations iteratively and proceeds through problems on the Gaussian distribution and medical decision making using statistical analysis, to curve fitting illustrated by problems in molecular speeds and elementary quantum mechanics.