Elementary Differential Equations 8th Edition with Differential Equations Matlab 2nd Edition Set (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "In this chapter we try in several different ways to give perspective to your study of differential equations..." (more)
Key Phrases: direction field for the system, asymptotically stable critical point, given initial value problem, New York, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Written from the perspective of the applied mathematician, the latest edition of this bestselling book focuses on the theory and practical applications of Differential Equations to engineering and the sciences. Emphasis is placed on the methods of solution, analysis, and approximation. Use of technology, illustrations, and problem sets help readers develop an intuitive understanding of the material. Historical footnotes trace the development of the discipline and identify outstanding individual contributions. This book builds the foundation for anyone who needs to learn differential equations and then progress to more advanced studies. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

Take advantage of valuable study resources to succeed in your course

This new edition of Boyce & DiPrima’s Elementary Differential Equations, 8/e, and the accompanying supplements have been carefully developed to give you the support you need to succeed in your course.  The Eighth Edition gives you a CD-ROM with powerful ODE Architect modeling software and an array of web-based learning tools to support your studies.

The CD-ROM includes:

• The award-winning ODE Architect software. The software’s 14 modules enable you to build and solve your own ODEs, and to use simulations and multimedia to develop detailed mathematical models and concepts in a truly interactive environment.
• The ODE Architect Companion. The Companion extends the ideas featured in each multimedia module.

The web-based learning tools include:

• Review & Study Guidelines. The Chapter Review Guidelines will help you prepare for quizzes and exams.
• Online Review Quizzes. The quizzes enable you to test your knowledge of key concepts and provide diagnostic feedback that references appropriate sections in the text.
• PowerPoint Slides. You can print these slides out for in-class note taking.
• Getting Started with ODE Architect. This guide will help you get up-and-running with ODE Architect’s simulations and multimedia.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 936 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 8th edition (January 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471729574
• ISBN-13: 978-0471729570
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,594,461 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intro book to accompany a course, January 20, 2003

By	Edward J Gorcenski (Troy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elementary Differential Equations (Hardcover)

I have had the privledge to use this book for an introductory course in differential equations with colleages of Dr. Boyce. This book is well written and contains numerous examples and a plethora of problems. However, a student would do well to have a very firm knowledge of calculus and a quick mathematical mind; some of the methods covered are not candy coated to go down easier. As such, it is important that a strong professor and a strong curriculum accompany this book. This is NOT a good book for self-instruction. However, it is a very useful reference to go back to when dealing with more advanced mathematical topics.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor choice for an introductory text, April 20, 2002

By	Mitchel T. Keller "math grad student" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Elementary Differential Equations (Hardcover)

Why anyone would choose this text to first introduce students to differential equations is beyond me. I've used this text both as a student and as a TA, and my hatred of it has only grown as I've tutored students out of it. Engineers and scientists don't need the lengthy descriptions provided in this text, which make it difficult to quickly refresh one's memory on a particular method. In addition, this text is suffering from a blight that affects many calculus and differential equations texts--moving important methods and/or concepts into the exercises. The examples are fairly good and provide the only way to figure out what is going on without spending hours reading. Its other redeeming quality is that almost all of the answers are provided in the back of the text, which is helpful to students who will rework problems until they get the right answer. Students should beware that instructors and graders quickly catch on to this fact, so you really need to work through to the right answer, or your score will suffer.

Additionally, this text's price is rising quite rapidly. I don't understand why it is, but the book certainly isn't worth its current price.

Don't buy this book unless you have to!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring - - A hard, cold, joyless book, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Elementary Differential Equations, 6th Edition (Hardcover)

In all fairness, my impression of this book actually comes from their 3rd edition, which I used in my first Diff. Eq. (DE) course. However, I remember seeing later versions in various bookstores, only to see little change. I was a good student in math, but grew to hate DE because of this book. It was written in a very complex, dry & boring way, with virtually no graphics, and the examples were never explained enough (i.e. to give you a solid intuitive feel of the subject). Thank God for Schaums Outline to get me through the course. As a practicing engineer, I have found other books, calculators (HP-48GX, TI-92, etc.) and the computer to restore my interest and fascination in DE. I wish Steven Speilberg could do a movie showing how fascinating differential equations really are, because this book sure doesn't.