A Modern Introduction to Differential Equations, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Henry J. Ricardo (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0123747465 | ISBN-13: 978-0123747464 | Publication Date: March 26, 2009 | Edition: 2

A Modern Introduction to Differential Equations presents a solid yet highly accessible introduction to differential equations, developing the concepts from a dynamical systems perspective and employing technology to treat topics graphically, numerically and analytically. This text is designed to be appropriate for a wide variety of students and exists as a natural successor to any modern calculus sequence.

Ancillary list: * Online ISM- http://textbooks.elsevier.com/web/product_details.aspx?isbn=9780123747464 * Online SSM- http://www.elsevierdirect.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780123747464 * Algorithmic Testing by Maple- http://www.elsevierdirect.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780123747464 * Sample content, Ebook- http://www.elsevierdirect.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780123747464 * Image collection- http://www.elsevierdirect.com/companion.jsp?ISBN=9780123747464

- student friendly readability- assessible to the average student
- early introduction of qualitative and numerical methods
- large number of exercises taken from biology, chemistry, economics, physics and engineering
- Exercises are labeled depending on difficulty/sophistication
- Full ancillary package including; Instructors guide, student solutions manual and course management system
- end of chapter summaries
- group projects

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Henry Ricardo is professor of mathematics at the Medgar Evers College, City University of New York-Brooklyn. Professor Ricardo is currently mentoring students doing research in Ordinary Differential Equations under a grant from the Alliance For Minority Participation (AMP); participated in an ATLAST workshop (July, 1997); served as a Faculty Consultant to the College Board's 1997, 1998, and 1999 Advanced Placement Calculus Readings; served as a member or chair of various review panels for interdisciplinary proposals submitted to the NSF Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Program (Washington, D.C.: 6/15-6/17/94 (chair) and 6/16-6/18/93)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 536 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 2 edition (March 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0123747465
• ISBN-13: 978-0123747464
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #710,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING WORK, FROM A BRILLIANT MIND, August 10, 2005

By 

F. Plasencia "A physicist" (Miami, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Modern Introduction to Differential Equations (Hardcover)

Off course, what else can anyone expect from the mind of Dr. Ricardo??? I just wish he had already published this book when I was still in my Undergraduate years as a Physics Major. Or perhaps even better: When I used to sit in his classroom. I owe my mathematical skills to the same teaching techniques I see when I read his book: The ability of Dr. Ricardo to explain complex subjects in a simple way, so different from many other instructors, especially at the undergraduate level. That is, not only the ability to get students to see the practical application of mathematical concepts, but to motivate them to do interesting work. I took my differential equations with another teacher, using the De Prima textbook, (a classic) long before Dr. Ricardo published his work. Nevertheless, I just purchased his book, it is part of my library and will remain there as a source of teaching ideas. Reading his work was like if I was still seating at his calculus class.

Also recommended: De Prima: 'Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems' Powers: 'Boundary Value Problems' Tromba: 'Vector Calculus' Arfken: 'Mathematical Methods For Physicists'

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Your mileage may vary, for the wrong reasons!, November 27, 2007

By 

Archimedes "archimedesz" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Modern Introduction to Differential Equations (Hardcover)

This is primarily a response to the startling denunciation in one of the other reviews.

In the last analysis, it isn't hard to learn the particular tricks you need to solve everybody's favorite exam questions--Tennenbaum or the Schaum Series books (Lipschutz? Spiegel?) will help you do that. Many students should go that route, particularly those who have a firm commitment to being able to perform at a minimal level, without being distracted by concepts at all. (This is humor; I do not subscribe to this theory personally. It is sad that I feel obliged to point this out...)

Slope fields are a MAJOR tool to understand what is going on in a differential equation. The fact that software is now easily able to produce slope fields is a FABULOUS advantage to living in these times. Another tool is phase space; I shudder to think what the reviewer would think of that! A semester of classical mechanics should cure people who do not understand the value of phase space.

Unfortunately, most instructors --including myself-- continue to feel obliged to set examinations in which slope fields do not figure largely. A test containing lots of graphics is beyond the scope of what most instructors are willing to do. (I think I've just persuaded myself to try it!) As a result, the typical student is more concerned with the algebraic aspects of the subject (which are admittedly fascinating), rather than the conceptual aspects of the subject. This probably includes the vast number of low-level engineers who do not aspire to use more than 6.7 differential equations in their entire lives, and so do not need to get involved in the concepts too heavily.

At the more advanced level, I suspect that engineers do certainly need to engage in the more subtle and sophisticated aspects of differential equations, dynamical systems and control systems. Unfortunately, they probably do not know what they will encounter as adults while in their sophomore years! Trust me: ODEs are a lot more than algebra.

Ricardo's book is what I intend to adopt. I hope my students will not review the book until the end of the semester!

Arch

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, November 3, 2009

By 

Irakli Machabeli (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Modern Introduction to Differential Equations, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I took ODE class 15 years ago and never had to use it in practice. Now, due to a nature of work I have to go back and refresh my knowledge. This is excellent book for student or anyone who wants to understand how to solve and apply differential equations in real life.
My old professor used dry, formal approach to just manipulate equations and never really taught real life use cases.
Unlike most of textbooks I've seen, this book is self contained, no question is left unanswered. I mean really no question.
If topic is not covered in the main text, author provides all the necessary information in appendix, you will even find introduction to vector algebra and complex numbers. You will never see vague explanation or do it yourself calculation for any formula derivation that is not trivial.
Excellent work. I wish I had a chance to use this textbook long time ago when I took my ODE class.