A Course in Ordinary Differential Equations (Hardcover)

by Randall J. Swift (Author), Stephen A. Wirkus (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
This is a delightful textbook for a standard one-semester undergraduate course in ordinary differential equations designed for students who had one year of calculus and continue their studies in engineering and mathematics. The main idea is to focus on the applications and methods of solutions, both analytical and numerical, with a special attention paid to applications to real-world problems in engineering, physics, population dynamics, epidemiology, etc. A winning feature of the book is the extensive use of computer algebra codes throughout the text. Assuming that the students have no previous experience with Maple, MATLAB, or Mathematica, the authors present the relevant syntax and theory for all three programs. This helps students to understand better the theoretical material, use computer support more sensibly, and interpret results of computer simulation properly. Some background material from linear algebra is also provided throughout the text whenever necessary. … The book is nicely written, generously illustrated, and well-structured. There are plenty of exercises ranging from drilling to challenging. Additional problems for revision and projects are collected at the end of each chapter. … An excellent blend of analytical and technical tools for studying ordinary differential equations, this text is a welcome addition to existing literature and is warmly recommended as essential reading for a first undergraduate course in differential equations.
-Zentralblatt MATH 1931

…An important feature is that the exposition is richly accompanied by computer algebra code (equally distributed between MATLAB, Mathematica, and Maple). The major part of the book is devoted to classical theory (both for systems and higher order equations) . The necessary material from linear algebra is also covered. More advanced topics include numerical methods, stability of equilibria, bifurcations, Laplace transforms, and the power series method. …
-EMS Newsletter, June 2007

Product Description
The first contemporary textbook on ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to include instructions on MATLAB®, Mathematica®, and Maple™, A Course in Ordinary Differential Equations focuses on applications and methods of analytical and numerical solutions, emphasizing approaches used in the typical engineering, physics, or mathematics student's field of study. Stressing applications wherever possible, the authors have written this text with the applied math, engineer, or science major in mind. It includes a number of modern topics that are not commonly found in a traditional sophomore-level text. For example, Chapter 2 covers direction fields, phase line techniques, and the Runge-Kutta method; another chapter discusses linear algebraic topics, such as transformations and eigenvalues. Chapter 6 considers linear and nonlinear systems of equations from a dynamical systems viewpoint and uses the linear algebra insights from the previous chapter; it also includes modern applications like epidemiological models. With sufficient problems at the end of each chapter, even the pure math major will be fully challenged. Although traditional in its coverage of basic topics of ODEs, A Course in Ordinary Differential Equations is one of the first texts to provide relevant computer code and instruction in MATLAB, Mathematica, and Maple that will prepare students for further study in their fields.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Chapman & Hall/CRC; 1 edition (October 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584884762
• ISBN-13: 978-1584884767
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #719,499 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to learn MATLAB, February 6, 2007

By	Amanda Leann Sherman "Math Lover" (Pomona, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used this book to get familiar with MATLAB and it helped tremendously; it helped me to learn the program better than the MATLAB instruction manual. In just a couple of hours one can go through the appendicies, where MATLAB instructions are outlined step by step, and become a new MATLAB user. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow. I was amazed by how empowered I felt when I learned about MATLAB and all the things that I was capable of doing with it. With the help of this book I became very comfortable with MATLAB and am now using it for my senior project.