Ordinary Differential Equations: Applications, Models, and Computing (Textbooks in Mathematics) - Hardcover

Roberts, Charles

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1439819084 ISBN 13: 9781439819081

Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2010

Synopsis

In the traditional curriculum, students rarely study nonlinear differential equations and nonlinear systems due to the difficulty or impossibility of computing explicit solutions manually. Although the theory associated with nonlinear systems is advanced, generating a numerical solution with a computer and interpreting that solution are fairly elementary. Bringing the computer into the classroom, Ordinary Differential Equations: Applications, Models, and Computing emphasizes the use of computer software in teaching differential equations.

Providing an even balance between theory, computer solution, and application, the text discusses the theorems and applications of the first-order initial value problem, including learning theory models, population growth models, epidemic models, and chemical reactions. It then examines the theory for n-th order linear differential equations and the Laplace transform and its properties, before addressing several linear differential equations with constant coefficients that arise in physical and electrical systems. The author also presents systems of first-order differential equations as well as linear systems with constant coefficients that arise in physical systems, such as coupled spring-mass systems, pendulum systems, the path of an electron, and mixture problems. The final chapter introduces techniques for determining the behavior of solutions to systems of first-order differential equations without first finding the solutions.

Designed to be independent of any particular software package, the book includes a CD-ROM with the software used to generate the solutions and graphs for the examples. The appendices contain complete instructions for running the software. A solutions manual is available for qualifying instructors.

About this title

About the Author

Charles E. Roberts, Jr. is a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Indiana State University.

Review

Roberts gives a clear, detailed introduction to ordinary differential equations for students who have completed the full calculus sequence. ... the book’s exercises and examples ... are independent of any particular software―a very nice feature. Roberts provides a good balance between theoretical and applied material. ... The work is very readable and offers instructors much material to work with in their courses. Summing Up: Recommended.
―CHOICE, December 2010

Edition details

• Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1439819084
• ISBN 13: 9781439819081
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 600