aij' of of of of I.la of of

Systems of linear algebraic equations arise in many different problems, for example, (a) network problems (e.g., electrical networks), (b) fitting approximating functions (see Chapter 4), and (c) systems of finite difference equations that arise in the numerical solution of differential equations (see Chapters 7 to 12). The list is endless. Figure I.la illustrates a static spring-mass system, whose static equilibrium configuration is governed by a system of linear algebraic equations. That system of equations is used throughout Chapter I as an example problem.