Question

What is the cause of truncation error in numerical solution?

(a) Neglecting higher order terms

(b) Rounding number to significant figure

(c) Solving nonlinear equation

(d) Incoherent boundary conditions

I have been asked this question by my school principal while I was bunking the class.

Asked question is from Philosophy of Method of Characteristics topic in division Numerical Techniques for Steady Supersonic Flow of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Right option is (a) Neglecting higher order terms

To explain I would say: In numerical solution, while expanding flow field properties in terms of Taylor series, higher order terms are often neglected. When these terms are neglected, it leads to errors known as truncation error.