Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems 11e, like its predecessors, is written from the viewpoint of the applied mathematician, whose interest in differential equations may sometimes be quite theoretical, sometimes intensely practical, and often somewhere in between. The authors have sought to combine a sound and accurate (but not abstract) exposition of the elementary theory of differential equations with considerable material on methods of solution, analysis, and approximation that have proved useful in a wide variety of applications. While the general structure of the book remains unchanged, some notable changes have been made to improve the clarity and readability of basic material about differential equations and their applications. In addition to expanded explanations, the 11th edition includes new problems, updated figures and examples to help motivate students.

The program is primarily intended for undergraduate students of mathematics, science, or engineering, who typically take a course on differential equations during their first or second year of study. The main prerequisite for engaging with the program is a working knowledge of calculus, gained from a normal two, or three, semester course sequence or its equivalent. Some familiarity with matrices will also be helpful in the chapters on systems of differential equations.

Contents

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

CHAPTER 2: First -Order Differential Equations

CHAPTER 3: Second-Order Linear Differential Equations

CHAPTER 4: Higher-Order Linear Differential Equations

CHAPTER 5: Series Solutions of Second-Order Linear Equations

CHAPTER 6: The Laplace Transform

CHAPTER 7: Systems of First-Order Linear Equations

CHAPTER 8: Numerical Methods

CHAPTER 9: Nonlinear Differential Equations and Stability

CHAPTER 10: Partial Differential Equations and Fourier Series

CHAPTER 11: Boundary Value Problems and Sturm-Liouville Theory

About the Author

Dr. William E. Boyce received his B.A. degree in Mathematics from Rhodes College, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mathematics from Carnegie-Mellon University. He is a member of the American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. He is currently the Edward P. Hamilton Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Science Education (Department of Mathematical Sciences) at Rensselaer. He is the author of numerous technical papers in boundary value problems and random differential equations and their applications. He is the author of several textbooks including two differential equations texts. In 1991 he received the William H. Wiley Distinguished Faculty Award given by Rensselaer.