Title
Numerical monsters
Abstract
When the results of certain computer calculations are shown to be not simply incorrect but dramatically incorrect, we have a powerful reason to be cautious about all computer-based calculations. In this paper we present a "Rogue's Gallery" of simple calculations whose correct solutions are obvious to humans but whose numerical solutions are incorrect in pathological ways. We call these calculations, which can be guaranteed to wreak numerical mayhem across both software packages and hardware platforms, "Numerical Monsters". Our monsters can be used to provide deep insights into how computer calculations fail, and we use them to engender appreciation for the subject of numerical analysis in our students. Although these monsters are based on well-understood numerical pathologies, even experienced numerical analysts will surprises in their behaviour and can use the lessons they bring to become even better masters of their tools.
Year
DOI
Venue
2000
10.1145/377626.377635
ACM SIGSAM Bulletin
Keywords
DocType
Volume
certain computer calculation,well-understood numerical pathology,numerical analyst,computer calculation,numerical analysis,numerical monster,better master,numerical mayhem,Numerical Monsters,computer-based calculation,numerical solution
Journal
34
Issue
Citations 
PageRank 
4
1
0.42
References 
Authors
0
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Christopher Essex1368.98
Matt Davison2468.53
Christian Schulzky331.41