Prof.

Ilunga

Learning Unit 8

Introduction to Programming and Software

At the end of this learning unit, learners should be able to do the following:
• Use free available programming tools
• Write basic programmes

Preamble

Various programming tools have been already introduced in the different learning units; i.e.
free available online tools, useful math lab codes and Excel dealing with numerical
problems. This learning unit just consolidates all programming tools covered and extends
them to a variety of problems covered in Civil Engineering. Beyond what is presented here,
students are encouraged to search for more tools which are freely available on the web.

Matrix algebra

QuichMaths:
https://quickmath.com/webMathematica3/quickmath/matrices/inverse/basic.jsp

https://ncalculators.com/matrix/inverse-matrix.htm

Matrix calculator, available at https://matrixcalc.org/en

Bisection Method
Solve Example 1(Learning unit 7) using the online calculator/software as shown in the
screenshot below. Open the link https://keisan.casio.com/exec/system/1330940731
Execute the programme. The number of minimum repetitions is 10 and the minimum
number of digits/decimals is 6 according to the software.

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False position method

Solve the same example as previously using the False position method.

Halley’s method

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Secant method
Use secant method to solve previous example. Use software on the link
https://planetcalc.com/3707/

Alternative for secant method

https://atozmath.com/CONM/Bisection.aspx?q=se&q1=x%5e2-
3%60%60false%601%602%601%603&dp=3&do=1#PrevPart

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Newton Raphson’s method

Use the same previous link to solve example 1 (learning unit 7)

2- point Gaussian quadrature Legendre

Use 2- point Gaussian quadrature Legendre (precision/order 3 or to solve example
……learning unit …..
The previous link should be used
https://keisan.casio.com/exec/system/1330940731

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Trapezoidal rule
Use the link below to solve example 1, learning unit 5

https://www.emathhelp.net/calculators/calculus-2/trapezoidal-rule-
calculator/?f=x%5E2%2B2&a=0&b=0.4&n=2&steps=on

Simpson (parabolic) function

Solve the example 1 in learning unit 5

https://www.emathhelp.net/calculators/calculus-2/simpsons-rule-
calculator/?f=x%5E2%2B2&a=0&b=0.4&n=2&steps=on

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Solve Example 1 (Learning unit 6), using the Euler online package. Link is

https://www.emathhelp.net/calculators/differential-equations/euler-method-
calculator/?f=x%5E2%2B2*x%2B2&type=h&h=0.5&x=0&y=2&e=1.5&steps=on

Runge-Kutta method

Solve Example 1 (Learning unit 6), using the Runge-Kutta online package.
Link
https://keisan.casio.com/exec/system/1222997077

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