Mathematics for Engineers and Technologists

Introduction: why mathematics?

Mathematics is an essential tool for the engineer and technologist. As an illustration, consider a number of simple situations:

• A beam

    A uniform horizontal beam rests on supports at each end and loads placed at its mid point. How does the deflection of the beam from the horizontal at its mid point depend on the applied load? Can we develop a mathematical relationship which will enable us to predict the deflection for a given load? We might need such a relationship in order to be able to consider the design of a simple plank bridge across a stream, or the elements in a more complex truss bridge.

See Chapter 1 for a discussion of mathematical relationships; when one quantity is dependent on another it is ...