Customer Reviews

Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems (6th Edition)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book will tell you everything you need to learn on differential equations. It covers thoroughly the methods for solving first and second order differential equations. The book also extends into Fourier transforms. I used this book at MIT for the differential equations class and found it very useful. Within its contents, matlab exercises are present and some simple projects which lets the student apply its knowledge. The only problem with the book is that it can be hard to read at certain points. Also the author assumes a strong background in calculus.

I've used this book during my differential class over the last semester. The problems in the book are carried out well and the back of the book has even and odd answers to help your understanding. For math majors, this book is great because it really wants you to "experience" the world of diff EQ, but for engineers or others taking it as a side class, it doesn't offer good examples for getting the job done. A good instructer can correct this though. As a book, 3 stars.

I bought the 5th edition of this book for my Differential Equations course and I am extremely satisfied with it. This book is clearly a great source for anyone interested in the subject. It has plenty of great examples in each chapter and it also includes many problems at the end of each section. Just make sure that you buy the book WITH "Boundary Value Problems" which includes two extra chapters: "Fourier Series Methods" and "Eigenvalues and Boundary Value Problems".

This book clearly presents a university-level approach to differential equations in a well-organized and easy-to-understand format. The topics are clearly laid out and are listed sequentially so that everything flows and ties together from previous sections. What I specifically liked about this book is that the theoretical aspects were kept to a minimum, but the applications were heavily emphasized. I believe this helps make the material more presentable to those learning differential equations for the first time. At the same time, I don't see that the lack of theory is a drawback by any means. So, I think that if you want a gentle, yet thorough introduction to the methods of differential equations, then this is a book definitely worth checking out.

I bought this book after finishing "Calculus Early Transcendentals" by the same authors. This is another book that is so well-written that it doesn't require a teacher.

There are 9 chapters in all: 1) First-Order Differential Equations 2) Linear Equations of Higher Order 3) Power Series Methods 4) Laplace Transform Methods 5) Linear Systems of Differential Equations 6) Numerical Methods 7) Nonlinear Systems and Phenomena 8) Fourier Series Methods 9) Eigenvalues and Boundary Value Problems.

The most important part of studying any maths book is doing the exercises. In each exercise, make sure that you solve one problem of each type. (Don't do much more than this or you'll get overworked; don't do much less than this or you won't get enough practice.) This way you'll end up solving roughly 10 problems from each exercise. Make sure you use MATLAB (or any similar software) whenever a problem requires it. Remember that this book requires a solid background of high-school calculus, and be prepared to work hard. Good luck with it.