Introductory Differential Equations

Introductory Differential Equations, Fourth Edition, offers both narrative explanations and robust sample problems for a first semester course in introductory ordinary differential equations (including Laplace transforms) and a second course in Fourier series and boundary value problems. The book provides the foundations to assist students in learning not only how to read and understand differential equations, but also how to read technical material in more advanced texts as they progress through their studies. This text is for courses that are typically called (Introductory) Differential Equations, (Introductory) Partial Differential Equations, Applied Mathematics, and Fourier Series. It follows a traditional approach and includes ancillaries like Differential Equations with Mathematica and/or Differential Equations with Maple. Because many students need a lot of pencil-and-paper practice to master the essential concepts, the exercise sets are particularly comprehensive with a wide array of exercises ranging from straightforward to challenging. There are also new applications and extended projects made relevant to everyday life through the use of examples in a broad range of contexts. This book will be of interest to undergraduates in math, biology, chemistry, economics, environmental sciences, physics, computer science and engineering. Provides the foundations to assist students in learning how to read and understand the subject, but also helps students in learning how to read technical material in more advanced texts as they progress through their studies Exercise sets are particularly comprehensive with a wide range of exercises ranging from straightforward to challenging Includes new applications and extended projects made relevant to "everyday life" through the use of examples in a broad range of contexts Accessible approach with applied examples and will be good for non-math students, as well as for undergrad classes

This textbook is designed for a one year course covering the fundamentals of partial differential equations, geared towards advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in mathematics, science, engineering, and elsewhere. The exposition carefully balances solution techniques, mathematical rigor, and significant applications, all illustrated by numerous examples. Extensive exercise sets appear at the end of almost every subsection, and include straightforward computational problems to develop and reinforce new techniques and results, details on theoretical developments and proofs, challenging projects both computational and conceptual, and supplementary material that motivates the student to delve further into the subject. No previous experience with the subject of partial differential equations or Fourier theory is assumed, the main prerequisites being undergraduate calculus, both one- and multi-variable, ordinary differential equations, and basic linear algebra. While the classical topics of separation of variables, Fourier analysis, boundary value problems, Green's functions, and special functions continue to form the core of an introductory course, the inclusion of nonlinear equations, shock wave dynamics, symmetry and similarity, the Maximum Principle, financial models, dispersion and solutions, Huygens' Principle, quantum mechanical systems, and more make this text well attuned to recent developments and trends in this active field of contemporary research. Numerical approximation schemes are an important component of any introductory course, and the text covers the two most basic approaches: finite differences and finite elements.

The mathematical formulations of problems in physics, economics, biology, and other sciences are usually embodied in differential equations. The analysis of the resulting equations then provides new insight into the original problems. This book describes the tools for performing that analysis. The first chapter treats single differential equations, emphasizing linear and nonlinear first order equations, linear second order equations, and a class of nonlinear second order equations arising from Newton's laws. The first order linear theory starts with a self-contained presentation of the exponential and trigonometric functions, which plays a central role in the subsequent development of this chapter. Chapter 2 provides a mini-course on linear algebra, giving detailed treatments of linear transformations, determinants and invertibility, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and generalized eigenvectors. This treatment is more detailed than that in most differential equations texts, and provides a solid foundation for the next two chapters. Chapter 3 studies linear systems of differential equations. It starts with the matrix exponential, melding material from Chapters 1 and 2, and uses this exponential as a key tool in the linear theory. Chapter 4 deals with nonlinear systems of differential equations. This uses all the material developed in the first three chapters and moves it to a deeper level. The chapter includes theoretical studies, such as the fundamental existence and uniqueness theorem, but also has numerous examples, arising from Newtonian physics, mathematical biology, electrical circuits, and geometrical problems. These studies bring in variational methods, a fertile source of nonlinear systems of differential equations. The reader who works through this book will be well prepared for advanced studies in dynamical systems, mathematical physics, and partial differential equations.

Skillfully organized introductory text examines origin of differential equations, then defines basic terms and outlines the general solution of a differential equation. Subsequent sections deal with integrating factors; dilution and accretion problems; linearization of first order systems; Laplace Transforms; Newton's Interpolation Formulas, more.

This text offers students in mathematics, engineering, and the applied sciences a solid foundation for advanced studies in mathematics. Features coverage of integral equations and basic scattering theory. Includes exercises, many with answers. 1988 edition.

The Second Edition of Ordinary Differential Equations: An Introduction to the Fundamentals builds on the successful First Edition. It is unique in its approach to motivation, precision, explanation and method. Its layered approach offers the instructor opportunity for greater flexibility in coverage and depth. Students will appreciate the author’s approach and engaging style. Reasoning behind concepts and computations motivates readers. New topics are introduced in an easily accessible manner before being further developed later. The author emphasizes a basic understanding of the principles as well as modeling, computation procedures and the use of technology. The students will further appreciate the guides for carrying out the lengthier computational procedures with illustrative examples integrated into the discussion. Features of the Second Edition: Emphasizes motivation, a basic understanding of the mathematics, modeling and use of technology A layered approach that allows for a flexible presentation based on instructor's preferences and students’ abilities An instructor’s guide suggesting how the text can be applied to different courses New chapters on more advanced numerical methods and systems (including the Runge-Kutta method and the numerical solution of second- and higher-order equations) Many additional exercises, including two "chapters" of review exercises for first- and higher-order differential equations An extensive on-line solution manual About the author: Kenneth B. Howell earned bachelor’s degrees in both mathematics and physics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Indiana University. For more than thirty years, he was a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Dr. Howell published numerous research articles in applied and theoretical mathematics in prestigious journals, served as a consulting research scientist for various companies and federal agencies in the space and defense industries, and received awards from the College and University for outstanding teaching. He is also the author of Principles of Fourier Analysis, Second Edition (Chapman & Hall/CRC, 2016).