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Numerically Approximating the Wave Equation?

ObsessiveMathsFreak writes "I'm an applied mathematician who has recently needed to obtain good numerical approximations to the classic second-order wave equation, preferably in three space dimensions. A lot of googling has not revealed much on what I had assumed would be a well-studied problem. Most of the standard numerical methods, finite difference/finite element methods, don't seem to work very well in the case of variable wave speed at different points in the domain, which is exactly the case that I need. Are any in this community working on numerically solving wave equation problems? What numerical methods do you use, and which programs do you find best suited to the task? How do you deal with stability issues, boundary/initial values, and other pitfalls? Are there different methods for electromagnetic wave problems? Finally, when the numbers have all been crunched, how do you visualize your hard-earned data?"

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  1. Re:Feynman invented Monte Carlo? Me don't think so by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Nonsense! Feynman was an AMERICAN. The rest were all foreigners who don't count. Repeat after me:

    America is best! It invents everything! Nothing exists outside of the American Continent!

    Actually, have you noticed the similarity between current American thinking and Chinese Imperial thinking of the 16th century?

  2. Re:More information is needed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    If you call the Command key "open Apple," GTFO.
    If you think Firefox is a decent Mac application, GTFO.
    If you're still looking for the "maximize" button, GTFO.
    If the name "Clarus" means nothing to you, GTFO.

    Bandwagon jumpers are not welcome among real Mac users. You'll never be one of us. Just keep your filthy, beige PC fingers to yourself.