Learn Programming and Mathematics with MATLAB

MATLAB is computer software that combines the features of a reference book on mathematics and a tool to accomplish mathematical calculations. To be flexible MATLAB is organized as a programming language. This language is very simple and friendly but, nevertheless, it requires some programming skills from a user. Existing books on MATLAB reflect authors' experience in dealing with this software. The majority of authors are scientists or higher school teachers who utilize MATLAB to solve math problems, and they do not discuss programming aspects of MATLAB at the level sufficient to understand and fix code errors. As a rule, the material is given for ideal situations assuming that any problem will be solved from the first attempt. This is not the case in computer programming, and usually MATLAB beginners have problems more with programming than with mathematics. On the other hand, books on MATLAB programming are too complex for beginners and lack the analysis of math problems.
This book is an attempt to represent both aspects of MATLAB together. It teaches MATLAB users the basics of programming before dealing with mathematics. MATLAB programming is discussed in the first five chapters. This part is the textbook on MATLAB programming and assumes no previous programming knowledge:
1. MATLAB Development Environment
2. MATLAB Programming Language
3. Immediate Mode
4. Procedural Programming
5. Object-Oriented Programming with Graphic User nterface

The next seven chapters cover the following math topics:
6. Elementary Math Functions
7. Complex Numbers and Functions
8. Polynomials, Approximation, and Interpolation
9. Arrays and Matrices
10. Solution to Linear Algebraic Equations
11. Differentiation and Integration
12. Differential Equations

Contrary to the first five chapters, this part is not considered to be the textbook on mathematics. It integrates programming, computation, and visualization to illustrate the possibilities of MATLAB in learning mathematics. Extensive use of MATLAB graphics has the purpose to help users visualize math objects, problems and solutions. The included INDEX has links to all MATLAB functions and commands used throughout the book.

Developing a code, users will probably surf throughout the book for necessary information both in programming and math parts. Embedded electronic links speed up searching and allow switching between related topics frequently and fast. Electronic books are also great as guides to computer software because both use the same kind of hardware. All MATLAB components in this book look just as they do in the native software.