Splines and Variational Methods (Dover Books on Mathematics)

Prenter introduces the numerical solution of boundary value problems by variational methods to serious students of engineering and mathematics who are familiar with basic applied linear algebra and slightly advanced calculus. He steers around Hilbert space and more abstract functional analytic concepts whenever possible, because engineers have accomplished much without them, and mathematicians can learn them later. This is a reprint of the 1975 edition published by John Wiley and Sons. Annotation 2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)