Avoiding Computer Errors When Using Excel for Iterative Solutions

R.C. Woods

doi:10.20944/preprints202402.1611.v1

Preprint Communication Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 28 February 2024 / Approved: 28 February 2024 / Online: 28 February 2024 (08:14:09 CET)

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.

Computer-based instruction; Differential equations; Problem solving; Errors; Iteration

Physical Sciences, Other

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Avoiding Computer Errors When Using Excel for Iterative Solutions

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