Accuracy And Stability Of Numerical Algorithms -

In 1991, a Patriot missile system failed to intercept a Scud missile, causing fatalities, because its tracking software ran continuously for 100 hours. The system converted integer time to seconds using a binary approximation of

The 1996 explosion of the Ariane 5 rocket, resulting in a $500 million loss, was caused by converting a 64-bit floating-point velocity value into a 16-bit signed integer. Because the new rocket was faster, the number exceeded the 32,768 limit of a 16-bit integer, causing an overflow. This crashed the guidance system, forcing the rocket off course and triggering a self-destruct. Numerical Stability - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics Accuracy and Stability of Numerical Algorithms

Here are three famous stories that illustrate why accuracy and stability are critical in engineering and finance. 1. The Patriot Missile Failure: Accumulating Drift In 1991, a Patriot missile system failed to