Mathematics > Differential Equations Differential Equations are the language in which the laws of nature are expressed.
Courses > Mathematics > Differential Equations 18.03 Differential EquationsSpring 2006
Linear Phase Portraits Mathlet from the d'Arbeloff Interactive Math Project. (Image courtesy of Hu Hohn and Prof. Haynes Miller.)
Course HighlightsCourse DescriptionDifferential Equations are the language in which the laws of nature are expressed. Understanding properties of solutions of differential equations is fundamental to much of contemporary science and engineering. Ordinary differential equations (ODE's) deal with functions of one variable, which can often be thought of as time. Topics include: Solution of first-order ODE's by analytical, graphical and numerical methods; Linear ODE's, especially second order with constant coefficients; Undetermined coefficients and variation of parameters; Sinusoidal and exponential signals: oscillations, damping, resonance; Complex numbers and exponentials; Fourier series, periodic solutions; Delta functions, convolution, and Laplace transform methods; Matrix and first order linear systems: eigenvalues and eigenvectors; and Non-linear autonomous systems: critical point analysis and phase plane diagrams.
Special Features MathematicsTechnical RequirementsCourses > Mathematics > Differential Equations Download this Course18-03Spring-2006.zip (ZIP - 15.24 MB) Click the link above to start downloading this course. You may need to download file decompression software such as WinZip or StuffIt to open the .ZIP file. For more information about downloading and using zipped courses, read our Frequently Asked Questions. All of the Materials included in the .ZIP file are governed by the same Creative Commons license that governs use of materials published on the MIT OCW page. |

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