| Unit name | Asymptotics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MATHM4700 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Mezzadri |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
MATH 30800 Mathematical Methods |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Mathematics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Unit aims
This unit aims to enhance students' ability to solve the type of equations that arise from applications of mathematics to natural and technological problems by giving a grounding in perturbation techniques. Emphasis is placed on methods of developing asymptotic solutions.
General Description of the Unit
For most equations that arise in modelling applications it is unlikely that exact solutions can be found. Even convergent series approximations are often not available, or they are of limited use if they converge very slowly. Instead, asymptotic expansions can yield good approximations. They are typically divergent if summed to infinity but a few terms can often give excellent and well defined approximations.
This unit introduces the basic ideas and shows how they can be applied to algebraic and differential equations, and to the evaluation of integrals. Usually some parameter or some coordinate value is small (or large), which leads to an expansion of a solution in this parameter. These perturbation expansions can be well behaved (regular) if the perturbation parameter goes to zero, or they can become singular. Most emphasis is placed on the latter, singular perturbations. Practical problems are used as illustrations. These techniques are especially useful when accurate numerical solutions are hard, or impossible, to obtain.
Relation to Other Units
This unit is a sequel to Level H/6 Mathematical Methods, and develops further techniques useful throughout applied mathematics.
Additional unit information can be found at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html
Learning Objectives
At the end of the unit, the students should be able to take a wide range of mathematical problems and modify the equations in order to find perturbation solutions for at least part of the parameter and coordinate range of interest.
Transferable Skills
Clear logical thinking; problem solving; analysing complex equations, or other mathematical expressions, to obtain the essential ingredients of solutions. Experience in solving a wide range of problems that may be related to other applications.
The primary content of the course is taught using lectures, with reference to texts and the use of problem sheets to reinforce the material presented. The unit consists of 30 lectures.
100% Examination.
Raw scores on the examinations will be determined according to the marking scheme written on the examination paper. The marking scheme, indicating the maximum score per question, is a guide to the relative weighting of the questions. Raw scores are moderated as described in the Undergraduate Handbook.
Reading and references are available at http://www.maths.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergrad/current_units/index.html
