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Avoiding Computer Errors When Using Excel for Iterative Solutions
Version 1
: Received: 28 February 2024 / Approved: 28 February 2024 / Online: 28 February 2024 (08:14:09 CET)
How to cite: Woods, R. Avoiding Computer Errors When Using Excel for Iterative Solutions. Preprints 2024, 2024021611. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1611.v1 Woods, R. Avoiding Computer Errors When Using Excel for Iterative Solutions. Preprints 2024, 2024021611. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.1611.v1
Abstract
Use of MS Excel as a platform for teaching simple iterative solution of partial differential equations runs into issues of reliability of the computation because of the large number of calculations required. This article documents the problem and an empirical solution. The cause of this unreliability was found by detailed examination of the numerical results from three simultaneous iterations. Computers of several types from different manufacturers were found to fail occasionally in updating variables in the numerical iteration. A simple work-around is suggested and was tested on several platforms.
Keywords
Computer-based instruction; Differential equations; Problem solving; Errors; Iteration
Subject
Physical Sciences, Other
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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