Differential Equations

 

Instructors: Dr. Dariusz Bugajewski (Lecture)

Consultant: ISU faculty member Dr. Fritz Keinert

This course is based on the ISU course MATH267 (4 credits).

The corresponding NCSU course is MA341 (4 credits).

 

Text: Zill, Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problem s Cengage/9E Edition ISBN: 9781337604901

The course is based on MA267 at ISU. At ISU there is also an option for MA266, which is the same except for two additional topics, Laplace Transforms and Power Series Methods that are in MA 267. We will offer all of the topics, and therefore only MA267. MA267 includes solution methods for ordinary differential equations. First order equations, linear equations, constant coefficient equations. Eigenvalue methods for systems of first order linear equations. Introduction to stability and phase plane analysis. It is related to the course MA341 taught at NCSU is, if anything, a slightly more difficult course. Since Prof. Bugajewski has taught the NCSU variant he can take into consideration what students from NCSU will need to know. Dr. Bugajewski has done proofs that were additional to justify the material. Students receive a firm foundation in this class that is suitable for engineering programs as well as chemistry and physics.

 

Course Objectives

Be able to identify types of differential equations and use appropriate methods to solve them.

Be able to use the method of integrating factors to solve first order linear equations. Be able to separate variables and compute integrals in solving first order separable equations. Know how to find a general solution of a linear second order constant coefficient homogeneous differential equation by seeking exponential solutions. Be able to use the method of undetermined coefficients to find a particular solution of a linear second order constant coefficient nonhomogeneous differential equation. Be able to find a general solution of a linear second order constant coefficient nonhomogeneous equation. Be able to solve an initial value problem associated with a linear second order constant coefficient homogeneous or nonhomogeneous equation. Be able to extend the methods used for linear second order constant coefficient equations to higher order linear constant coefficient equations, both homogeneous and non-homogeneous. Be able to use the eigenvalue-eigenvector method to find general solutions of linear first order constant coefficient systems of differential equations of size 2 or 3. Be able to find a fundamental matrix for linear first order constant coefficient system of differential equations of size 2 or 3. Be able to use the method of variation of parameters to find a particular solution of a nonhomogeneous linear first order constant coefficient system of size 2.

Learn how differential equations are used to model physical systems and applied problems.

Be able to formulate and use elementary models for population dynamics, such as the logistic equation, to describe transient and steady state behavior. Be able to work with models for the linear motion of objects using assumptions on the velocity and acceleration of the object. Be able to set up and solve a problem involving stirred tank reactor dynamics. Be able to use Newton’s second law to set up a model for a simple spring-mass system; and use appropriate methods to obtain the solution of the model problem. Be able to use models for continuous compounding of interest to describe elementary savings and loan problems.

Gain an elementary understanding of the theory of ordinary differential equations.

Understand statements on existence and uniqueness of solutions. Understand the role of linear independence of solutions in finding general solutions of differential equations. Understand what constitutes a general solution of a differential equation.

Additional objectives for MA267

Be able to use the method of Laplace transforms to solve linear second order constant coefficient homogeneous and nonhomogeneous equations. Be able to use series methods to find a power series solution of a linear second order variable coefficient homogeneous equation about an ordinary point.

 

Course outline

Chapter & Sections Topics

Chapter 1 – Introduction §§1.1-3

Chapter 2 - First Order ODEs §§2.1-5 §2.6 (optional)

Chapter 3 - First Order ODE Models selected topics from §§3.1-2 §3.3 (optional)

Chapter 4 - Higher Order Linear ODEs §§4.1-4, 6, 7, 9

Chapter 5 - Higher Order ODE Models selected topics from §5.1

Chapter 8 - First Order Systems §§8.1-2 §8.3 (optional)

Chapter 9 - Numerical Solutions of ODEs §9.1 (optional)

Chapter 10 - Planar Autonomous Systems §10.1 selected topics from §§10.2-3 (optional)

Math 267 only

Chapter 7 - Laplace Transform §§7.1-5

Chapter 6 - Power Series Methods §§6.1-2