A First Course in Numerical Analysis

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Summary: Archaic First Course in Numerical Analysis
Review: A constant in numerical analysis for years the second edition has not kept pace with the way mathematics is contemporarily taught to engineers and scientists. The book appears to assume an older format of learning mathematics was used by the reader. The reader will soon be seeking additional texts to make this one understandable.

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Summary: A classic and a bargain at that
Review: I lost my original copy during my last move. Therefore, I was overjoyed that an inexpensive paperback version had been printed. A must for the numerical analyst's library.

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Summary: good intermediate text on numerical analysis
Review: This is a good intermediate text on numerical analysis. The development of the underlying real variable theory is much more rigorous than the closely related and more recent text "Numerical Recipes in C". Also, there is more attention paid to function theoretic considerations such as notions of continuity and compactness. This is basically an introductory numerical functional analysis textbook. There are numerous good examples sprinkled throughout the text. To get the most out of this book, you need a working knowledge of advanced calculus, real analysis and linear algebra.

Rating:
Summary: good intermediate text on numerical analysis
Review: This is a good intermediate text on numerical analysis. The development of the underlying real variable theory is much more rigorous than the closely related and more recent text "Numerical Recipes in C". Also, there is more attention paid to function theoretic considerations such as notions of continuity and compactness. This is basically an introductory numerical functional analysis textbook. There are numerous good examples sprinkled throughout the text. To get the most out of this book, you need a working knowledge of advanced calculus, real analysis and linear algebra.

Rating:
Summary: Simply the best you can get (at this price)
Review: This is the republication of the 2nd edition published by McGraw-Hill, 1978, with minor corrections. This Dover edition also includes 50 pages of Hints and Answers to Problems, which is very helpful. It is one of the 14 reference books listed in the Numerical Recipe in C: The Art of Scientific Computing, and the authors of the Recipe book says, of the 14 books, "These are the books that we like to have within easy reach." A. Ralston, of SUNY Buffalo, also co-wrote a book, Discrete Algorithmic Mathematics(DAM), which is easy and fun to read. But I am puzzled by the words - "Well-known and highly regarded even by those who have never used it." - on the back cover of the A K Peters edition of DAM. What do they mean?