| DIVISION | Science and Mathematics |
| CURRICULUM | College Transfer |
| TITLE | Differential Equations |
| NUMBER | MATH 238 |
| TYPE | Mathematics |
| CREDITS | Three (Two additional credits for computer work.) |
| LENGTH | One quarter of three lecture hours per week and two computer sessions per week. |
| CLASS SIZE | 35 |
| PREREQUISITE | MATH&153 with 2.0 or better (or MATH&152 and permission of instructor.) |
| OURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the solution of ordinary differential equations with emphasis on applications. Numerical methods as well as closed form solutions are considered. COURSE OBJECTIVES: To enable students to solve differential equations of orders one and two algebraically, graphically and numerically. The use of differential equations to model real-world situations is stressed. The appropriate use of technology (graphing calculators and a symbolic algebra system) is emphasized throughout. COURSE CONTENT: First order equations: Brief review of separable and linear equations; then exact, Bernoulli, and methods to reduce to standard forms. Applications to trajectories, mechanics, and rate problems. Second order equations: Linear, homogeneous, undetermined coefficients, variation of parameters, concepts of linear independence and a fundamental set of solutions. Applications to undamped, damped and forced motion, resonance and electricity. Series: Introduction to representation of a function by a power series; convergence; series solutions to first and second order differential equations. Approximate methods: Slope fields, power series, successive approximations, Eulers methods. Difference equations and their relation to differential equations. |
TOP
Reviewed 3/95