1.

INTRODUCTION

Numerical analysis is the branch of mathematics that provides tools and

methods for solving mathematical problems in numerical form. The
objective is to develop detailed computational procedures, capable of being
implemented on electronic computers, and to study their performance
characteristics (Gautschi, 2012).
In most of the practical cases, we fail to find the exact solution of a
mathematical problem owing to the fact that the desired solution is not
expressible in elementary or other functions usually known to us. Therefore,
numerical

methods

assume

ever

greater

importance,

especially

in

connection with the increasing role of mathematical methods in various

fields of science and technology (Volkov, 1990).

Numerical methods use

numbers to simulate mathematical processes, which in turn simulate realworld situations. This implies that there is a purpose behind the computing.
The choice of the particular formula, or algorithm, influences not only the
computing but also how we are to understand the results when they are
obtained. Numerical methods try to meet the need for methods to cope with
the potentially infinite variety of problems that can arise in practice
(Hamming, 1986).
A solution obtained by a numerical method is usually approximate,
that is, it has some error. Even if the initial data are void of errors and all the
arithmetic operations are ideally performed, they yield the solution of the
original problem with some error. A numerical method usually depends on
one or several parameters which may be controlled. Examples of such
parameter include the number of iterations in solving systems of equations
and the number of terms taken into account when summing a series, and
also the step over which the values of the integrand are used in
approximate evaluation of the definite integral (Volkov, 1990).
The application of numerical methods for engineering problems are
important for mathematical modelling of continuum mechanical processes,
development and analysis of numerical algorithms, implementation of
numerical methods into computer codes, adaption and application of

numerical methods to concrete problems, validation, verification, evaluation

and interpretation of numerical results (Schafer, 2006).
Numerical methods are generally used to solve civil engineering
related problems. For instance, numerical methods are used in geotechnical,
structural,

transportation

and

hydraulics

researches

simulation model and numerical calculation. MATLAB

programming

language

and

problem

solving

is

which

involve

modern

environment:

it

has

sophisticated data structures, contains built-in editing and debugging tools,

and supports object-oriented programming. These factors make MATLAB a
powerful tool for research and practical problem solving. MATLAB is an
interactive system for numerical computation, its use is closely related to
numerical methods (Higham, 2005).
The secant method can be derived from Newton-Raphsons method
by approximating the derivative f (x n) by the quotient (fn fn-1)/ (xn xn-1),
where we denote f(xn) by fn. This leads to the following method. Compute,
from

given

initial

approximations

xo

and

x 1,

the

sequence

x 2,

x3

.recursively from

x n+1 = x n + h n , h n = - f n

x n - x n-1
,
f n - f n-1

f n f

n-1

In the secant method, if we take the limit that the two points coincide,
then the function is approximated by a tangent and we get the NewtonRaphson method, where the successive iterates are calculated using the
formula

x i+1 = x i -

f( x i )
f'( x i )

In this report, an example of a single beam supported by one pinned

joint and a roller is shown with a concentrated load and uniform loading
acting on it. This example shows how the secant method work and thus
proving the secant method can be used to find root of moment acting on the
beam with and without using Mat-lab. The objective of this report is to utilize
the secant method to numerically solve a non-linear equation. The
derivation of secant method is shown in next session - Theory.

2.0

3.0

THEORY
2.1

ALGORITHMS

2.2

ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS

RESULTS

Ax

3.1

CALCULATIONS WITHOUT MAT-LAB

3.2

CALCULATIONS WITH MAT-LAB

4.0

DISCUSSIONS

5.0

CONCULSIONS

6.0

REFERENCES

Antia, H.M. (2002). Numerical Methods for Scientists and Engineers. India:
Hindustan Book Agency.
Dahlquist, G. &Bjorck, A. 2003. Numerical Methods. New Jersey, United
States of America: Prentice Hall.

Gautschi, W. 2012. Numerical Analysis. 2nd ed. New York, United States of
America: Springer Science and Business Media.
Hamming, R. W. 1986. Numerical Methods for Scientists and Engineers. 2nd
ed. New York, United States of America: Dover Publications.
Higham, D. J. & Higham, N. J. 2005. MATLAB Guide. 2nd ed. Philadelphia,
United

States

of

America:

Society

for

Industrial

and

Applied

Mathematics.
Schafer, M. 2006. Computational Engineering: Introduction to Numerical
Methods. Berlin, Germany: Springer.
Volkov,

E.A.

1990.

Numerical

Methods.

Hemisphere Publishing Corporation.

7.0

APPENDIX

United

States

of

America: