AAiT | Center of Biomedical Engineering

Computational Methods (BMED-2073)

Lecture 1: Introduction

By Fikadu M.
 About me:
Name: Fikadu Mulugeta
Educational Background:
B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering from Jimma University, Jimma
Institute of Technology, 2015
M.Sc. In Bio-instrumentation and Medical Imaging, AAU|AAiT-
going on
 About the course
Course name: Computational/Numerical Methods
Course code: BMED-2073
Cr.hr/ECTS: 2/4
Pre-requisites: Introduction to Computing (BMED-2071)
Class hours: Tuesday and Wednesday ( 6:00 8:00 PM)
Pre-requisites: Introduction to Computing, Applied Math III
Requirements: Basic Mathematical Background, Calculators, MATLAB
software
Attendance: Class (>80%) and Lab (100%)
 Evaluation(subject to change)
Sudden quizzes.10%
Assignments (group and individual).20%
Projects..40%
Final exam30%
 What are Numerical methods?
Techniques which allow to tackle natural problems by formulating
mathematical modeling so that they can be solved by arithmetic
operations
Invariably contain a lot of tedious arithmetic calculations
Made easy with the development of fast and efficient computers
A good understanding and interpretation of the problem has to be
followed by an efficient and appropriate techniques to solve it
 Non Computer Methods
1. Analytical/exact solutions
Often useful and provided excellent insight
Only for limited class of problems
2. Graphical solutions
A form of plots or nomographs
Results not precise, extremely tedious and awkward to implement
3. Manual methods
Calculators and slide rules used
Slow and tedious
Manual errors
 Why Numerical Methods
The 3 phases of engineering
problem solving
a) Pre-computer
b) With computers

Sizes of boxes ~ level of emphasis

Mathematical Background
 Mathematical modeling and Eng. problem solving
Is a formulation or equation that expresses the essential features of
a physical system or process in mathematical terms.
Is a functional relationship of the form:

Dependent: reflects the behavior or state of the system

Independent: usually dimensions (time and space)
Parameters: reflective of systems properties or composition
Forcing functions: external influences acting upon the system
Eng. Problem solving process
 Simple math. Modeling: Newtons 2nd law
The time rate of change of momentum of the body is equal to the
resultant force acting on it
F = ma
F: net force acting on it (kgms 2 )
m: mass of the object (kg)
a: its acceleration (ms 2 )
Its characteristics as a model for physical world
Describes a natural process or system in mathematical terms
Idealization and simplification of a reality
Yields reproducible results and can be used for prediction
 Other forms
F = ma..Newtons 2nd law of motion
a = F/m..rearranging
dV/dt = F/m.noting that (a=dV/dt)
F = + , upward air resistance and downward gravitational force
= mg and = -cv, where g = gravitational acceleration (ms 2 ) and c =
drag coefficient (kg/s)
F = + = mg - cv
= mg cv = g - v

Models the acceleration of a falling object with the forces acting on it
Considering free fall:


V(t) = (1- )

Eg. A parachutist of mass 68.1kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon. Using
the above equation, compute the velocity prior to opening the chute. The drag
coefficient is 12.5 kg/s.
Inserting the parameters:

It can numerically be computed as:

 IEEE Arithmetic
Definitions
Bit = 0 or 1
Byte = 8 bits
Word = Reals: 4 bytes (single precision)
8 bytes (double precision)
= Integers: 1, 2, 4, or 8 byte signed
=1, 2, 4, or 8 byte unsigned
 Error Theory
Approximations and Round-off errors