Tank Calibration: Practical Examples in Approximation Techniques

The topic of tank calibration provides an ideal setting for introducing important ideas in computational mathematics. The basic problem is to mark a dipstick so that a volume of fluid in the tank can be read from the dipstick markings. A broad range of topics is involved, spanning theoretical analysis, numerical experimentation, and on-site implementation. The algorithms described are in use for calibrating road tankers, and many of the issues raised were encountered during their development.