This well-respected book introduces readers to the theory & application of modern numerical approximation techniques Providing an accessible treatment that only requires a calculus prerequisite the authors explain how why & when approximation techniques can be expected to work-and why in some situations they fail A wealth of examples & exercises develop readers' intuition & demonstrate the subject's practical applications to important everyday problems in math computing engineering & physical science disciplines Three decades after it was first published Burden Faires & Burden's NUMERICAL ANALYSIS remains the definitive introduction to a vital & practical subject