An Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations

• Introduction; Part I. First Order Differential Equations: 1. Radioactive decay and carbon dating; 2. Integration variables; 3. Classification of differential equations; 4. Graphical representation of solutions using MATLAB; 5. 'Trivial' differential equations; 6. Existence and uniqueness of solutions; 7. Scalar autonomous ODEs; 8. Separable equations; 9. First order linear equations and the integrating factor; 10. Two 'tricks' for nonlinear equations; Part II. Second Order Linear Equations With Constant Coefficients: 11. Second order linear equations: general theory; 12. Homogeneous 2nd order linear ODEs; 13. Oscillations; 14. Inhomogeneous 2nd order linear equations; 15. Resonance; 16. Higher order linear equations; Part III. Linear Second Order Equations With Variable Coefficients: 17. Reduction of order; 18. The variation of constants formula; 19. Cauchy-Euler equations; 20. Series solutions of second order linear equations; Part IV. Numerical Methods and Difference Equations: 21. Euler's method; 22. Difference equations; 23. Nonlinear first order difference equations; 24. The logistic map; Part V. Coupled Linear Equations: 25. Vector first order equations and higher order equations; 26. Explicit solutions of coupled linear systems; 27. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; 28. Distinct real eigenvalues; 29. Complex eigenvalues; 30. A repeated real eigenvalue; 31. Summary of phase portraits for linear equations; Part VI. Coupled Nonlinear Equations: 32. Coupled nonlinear equations; 33. Ecological models; 34. Newtonian dynamics; 35. The 'real' pendulum; 36. Periodic orbits; 37. The Lorenz equations; 38. What next?

'The presentation is sensitive to the needs of students, with careful algebraic steps included in most cases. Appendices on basic required mathematical techniques are also included.' Mathematical Reviews