Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems , 8th Edition, with ODE Architect CD (Hardcover)

by William E. Boyce (Author), Richard C. DiPrima (Author) "In this chapter we try in several different ways to give perspective to your study of differential equations..." (more)
Key Phrases: nnx neat, given initial value problem, asymptotically stable critical point, New York, Englewood Cliffs, Daniel Bernoulli (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This revision of the market-leading book maintains its classic strengths: contemporary approach, flexible chapter construction, clear exposition, and outstanding problems. Like its predecessors, this revision is written from the viewpoint of the applied mathematician, focusing both on the theory and the practical applications of Differential Equations as they apply to engineering and the sciences.

From the Publisher
Written from the perspective of the applied mathematician, the latest edition of this established textbook combines a solid exposition of the elementary theory of differential equations with substantial information on solution, analysis, and approximation techniques useful in a wide range of applications. Features a vast number and diversity of problems (solved by pencil and paper or on the computer) which provide instructors with a multitude of choices in tailoring their course to meet their own goals and the needs of their students. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 8 edition (April 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471433381
• ISBN-13: 978-0471433385
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,233 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but not the best..., August 7, 2006

By	Alexander C. Zorach "Alex Zorach" (Lancaster, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems (Hardcover)

I think this book is the best among the standard "undergraduate" textbooks for diffeq--i.e., the ones with flashy colorful covers that are re-released in a new edition way too often.

This book is a little bit more systematic than most...it's easier to sort out the logical dependency of the material, and as a result it makes an excellent reference. Another strong point of this book is that it goes a little bit farther than most similar books--you will probably want to hold onto this one and use it in a second course, even if another book is used.

In my opinion though, the best introductory books on differential equations are from the Springer Verlag yellow book series...check out the ones by Braun or Hubbard; they have more discussion and are more of learning texts than this one. I also think it's a total scam the way they keep releasing new editions of this book--not much changes. I've used the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth editions and I'd recommend any of them; nowadays the eighth edition should be sufficiently cheap to buy for next-to-nothing...

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. I guess I'm in the Minority!, October 27, 2006

By	Anonymous Coward (USA) - See all my reviews

This is my favorite ODE book. Ever. But I guess I'm in the minority on this. I owned the 5th edition. My ex owned the 7th edition. Her book was a bit more flashy -- fancy graphics and whatnot were sort of distracting, but all the things that I love about my copy were true (for me) about her copy.

I really like that they approach the subject via a wonderfully balanced viewpoint -- they do a tightrope walk of being rigorous and making the book useful for us physicists, and our cousins, the engineers.

They go through practical theory but leave out the more exotic elements of ODE theory.

I found the examples to be extremely sufficient. Sometimes generous. I can either assume that something awful happened to the 8th edition or that the other reviewers are the type of undergrads who think that a book should have so many examples worked out that if their hw problem isn't worked out for them, the book sucks.

If you really want a zillion examples worked out, I have one word for you: Schaum's. Read it. Love it.

This is a textbook. It presents theory, it gives a few examples, and you're left to practise applying the theory.

I found the text to be very well written. They're not verbose, but they're not terse either. Very nice balance. The explanations and insights are masterfully written.

Where the book really shines is that it's a practical "how to" book. They cram a lot of different techniques into a nice relatively lightweight book.

The section of PDEs is sufficient and appropriate for the intended level of reader.

I love their problem selection. In fact, what I love most about their problems is that they often have "teaching problems". You learn solution techniques through a series of well crafted end of the chapter exercises.

Personally, I think this is the single best undergrad ODE book on the market.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, February 5, 2004

By	"angiefromtokyo" (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems (Hardcover)

I was long looking for a book on differential equations and I found this one to be the most easy to follow. There are lots of solved problems and interesting exercises. I recommend it to everyone who has had an introductory course in diff. equations, but who'd like to pursue a deeper treatment of the subject.