This IMA Volume in Mathematics and its Applications RECENT ADVANCES IN ITERATIVE METHODS is based on the proceedings of a workshop that was an integral part of the 1991-92 IMA program on "Applied Linear Algebra. " Large systems of matrix equations arise frequently in applications and they have the prop erty that they are sparse and/or structured. The purpose of this workshop was to bring together researchers in numerical analysis and various ap plication areas to discuss where such problems arise and possible meth ods of solution. The last two days of the meeting were a celebration dedicated to Gene Golub on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, with the program arranged by Jack Dongarra and Paul van Dooren. We are grateful to Richard Brualdi, George Cybenko, Alan George, Gene Golub, Mitchell Luskin, and Paul Van Dooren for planning and implementing the year-long program. We especially thank Gene Golub, Anne Greenbaum, and Mitchell Luskin for organizing this workshop and editing the proceed ings. The financial support of the National Science Foundation and the Min nesota Supercomputer Institute made the workshop possible. A vner Friedman Willard Miller, Jr. xi PREFACE The solution of very large linear algebra problems is an integral part of many scientific computations."

Numerical Methods provides a clear and concise exploration of standard numerical analysis topics, as well as nontraditional ones, including mathematical modeling, Monte Carlo methods, Markov chains, and fractals. Filled with appealing examples that will motivate students, the textbook considers modern application areas, such as information retrieval and animation, and classical topics from physics and engineering. Exercises use MATLAB and promote understanding of computational results. The book gives instructors the flexibility to emphasize different aspects--design, analysis, or computer implementation--of numerical algorithms, depending on the background and interests of students. Designed for upper-division undergraduates in mathematics or computer science classes, the textbook assumes that students have prior knowledge of linear algebra and calculus, although these topics are reviewed in the text. Short discussions of the history of numerical methods are interspersed throughout the chapters. The book also includes polynomial interpolation at Chebyshev points, use of the MATLAB package Chebfun, and a section on the fast Fourier transform. Supplementary materials are available online. * Clear and concise exposition of standard numerical analysis topics * Explores nontraditional topics, such as mathematical modeling and Monte Carlo methods * Covers modern applications, including information retrieval and animation, and classical applications from physics and engineering * Promotes understanding of computational results through MATLAB exercises * Provides flexibility so instructors can emphasize mathematical or applied/computational aspects of numerical methods or a combination * Includes recent results on polynomial interpolation at Chebyshev points and use of the MATLAB package Chebfun * Short discussions of the history of numerical methods interspersed throughout * Supplementary materials available online