A differential equation is an equation that relates a function to one or more of its derivatives.
– The above rather boring description does little to convey just how fundamental, widespread, and amazingly effective differential equations are in describing the world around us.
– Examples: Anything in motion. Also, many things that are not in motion. Also, many additional things to which the word “motion” does not really apply.
– Further examples: spaceships in orbit, populations growing and shrinking, a cup of coffee slowly cooling, springs bouncing, financial markets rising and falling, electrical current flowing through a circuit, ocean waves, sound waves, light waves, vibrations in musical instruments and airplane wings and suspension bridges,
– More examples: Pretty much everything.
Topics include methods of solving ordinary differential equations and applications to various problems.
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