Differential Equations: Computing and Modeling (2nd Edition) [Hardcover]

C. Henry Edwards (Author), David E. Penney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130797790 | ISBN-13: 978-0130797797 | Publication Date: June 11, 1999 | Edition: 2nd

For introductory courses in Differential Equations.This text provides the conceptual development and geometric visualization of a modern differential equations course while maintaining the solid foundation of algebraic techniques that are still essential to science and engineering students. It reflects the new excitement in differential equations as the availability of technical computing environments likeMaple, Mathematica, and MATLAB reshape the role and applications of the discipline. New technology has motivated a shift in emphasis from traditional, manual methods to both qualitative and computer-based methods that render accessible a wider range of realistic applications. With this in mind, the text augments core skills with conceptual perspectives that students will need for the effective use of differential equations in their subsequent work and study.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Reflecting the shift in emphasis from traditional methods to new computer-based methods, this text -- in classic Edwards and Penney style -- focuses on the mathematical modeling of real-world phenomena as the goal and constant motivation for the study of differential equations. It offers a fresh computational flavor in figures, examples, problems, and projects throughout, and features a broad range of real-world applications. The book also covers topics not found in other similar texts. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

This book provides the conceptual development and geometric visualization of modern differential equations. It reflects the new excitement in differential equations the availability of technical computing environments. About four dozen Computing Projects follow key sections throughout the book. A perspective shaped by the availability of computational aids. An accompanying Computing Projects Manual. For readers in differential equations who what to be exposed to Maple, Mathematica,

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 548 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 2nd edition (June 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130797790
• ISBN-13: 978-0130797797
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Just Plain Not Good, April 9, 2008

By 

Undergrad (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Differential Equations Computing and Modeling (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

This book has several problems.
1. There are numerous typos in the text as well as in the solutions printed in the back of the book (and in the solutions manual). It can be very frustrating to puzzle over a problem for a long time only to find you were right and the book was wrong.
2. Several important techniques are only explained as short paragraphs in the exercise section (ie Euler Equation substitution, Reduction of Order, and others). You are left to try and figure out how to apply the vague instructions by looking at the solutions manual or asking someone else. I found this to be the biggest problem with the book.
3. The end of each example or concept is marked by a small red box in the margin of the page. These boxes are easy to miss so the distinction between example and theory, as well as between different aspects of the theory will become blurred unless you pay close attention to when the red boxes appear. Consequently results derived from theory and results derived from specific examples tend to blend together.
4. Often the authors add length to problems by providing the given values in non-SI units and the constants of nature in SI units. While this isn't a serious problem with the book, it would make the book needlessly annoying if you were using it for self study.
For the class that required this book I ended up checking out a different textbook on differential equations from the library to learn from. I only used this one for the questions we were assigned. If you have any choice in the matter I would recommend getting a different book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good differential equations textbook, August 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems: Computing and Modeling (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I think the strength of this textbook is the amount of material it encompasses: this book is used in two separate courses in my school--introduction to DE and engineering analysis. I didn't appreciate the textbook so much until I completed my differential equations course and then looked back at the sections on mechanical vibrations to review for my physics course. I then realized that the explanations and derivations were extremely satisfying, much more than your average introductory physics text. Also, the emphasis on the qualitative aspects of DEs, such as slope fields and phase portraits, aid in the coneptual understanding of the otherwise rigorous computation aspects of the topic. My only complaint is that the proofs could've been done in a more understandable manner.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, April 25, 2004

By 

Steven Russell Vickers (Duke University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems: Computing and Modeling (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

Not a bad book at all. Physical applications well explained, theory OK but not as good in my opinion. Unfortunately, contains a fair number of typos, and the book is physically weak (the binding of mine is splitting after only 4 months of use) for a book of this price. Still, pretty good overall.