Differential Equations Computing and Modeling, CourseSmart eTextbook

For introductory courses in Differential Equations.

This text provides the conceptual development and geometric visualization of a modern differential equations course that is still essential to science and engineering students. It reflects the new emphases that permeate the learning of elementary differential equations, including the wide availability of scientific computing environments like Maple, Mathematica, and MATLAB; its focus has shifted from the traditional manual methods to new computer-based methods that illuminate qualitative phenomena and make accessible a wider range of more realistic applications. Seldom-used topics have been trimmed and new topics added: it starts and ends with discussions of mathematical modeling of real-world phenomena, evident in figures, examples, problems, and applications throughout the text.

CourseSmart textbooks do not include any media or print supplements that come packaged with the bound book.

Differential Equations and Mathematical Models. Integrals as General and Particular Solutions. Slope Fields and Solution Curves. Separable Equations and Applications. Linear First Order Equations. Substitution Methods and Exact Equations.

Population Models. Equilibrium Solutions and Stability. Acceleration-Velocity Models. Numerical Approximation: Euler's Method. A Closer Look at the Euler Method, and Improvements. The Runge-Kutta Method.

Introduction: Second-Order Linear Equations. General Solutions of Linear Equations. Homogeneous Equations with Constant Coefficients. Mechanical Vibrations. Nonhomogeneous Equations and Undetermined Coefficients. Forced Oscillations and Resonance. Electrical Circuits. Endpoint Problems and Eigenvalues.

First-Order Systems and Applications. The Method of Elimination. Numerical Methods for Systems.

Linear Systems and Matrices. The Eigenvalue Method for Homogeneous Systems. Second Order Systems and Mechanical Applications. Multiple Eigenvalue Solutions. Matrix Exponentials and Linear Systems. Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems.

Stability and the Phase Plane. Linear and Almost Linear Systems. Ecological Models: Predators and Competitors. Nonlinear Mechanical Systems. Chaos in Dynamical Systems.

Laplace Transforms and Inverse Transforms. Transformation of Initial Value Problems. Translation and Partial Fractions. Derivatives, Integrals, and Products of Transforms. Periodic and Piecewise Continuous Forcing Functions. Impulses and Delta Functions.