Wavelets are spatially localized functions whose amplitude drops off exponentially outside a small "window". They are used to magnify experimental or numerical data and have become powerful tools in signal processing and other computational sciences. This book gives scientists and engineers a practical understanding of wavelets–their origins, their purpose, their use, and their prospects. It covers the applications of wavelets as a diagnostic tool and the use of wavelet basis functions to solve differential equations. Each chapter was written by one of five lecturers of a course sponsored by the Institute of Computer Applications in Science and Engineering (ICASE) and the NASA Langley Research Center. Not only does this book treat the latest advances on the subject, but it also attempts to impart practical knowledge to allow scientists and engineers to evaluate objectively where these tools stand in relation to their needs.