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Differential Equations (92.236)
Homework Assignments

As indicated above, the homework for this course is an essential component of the course. In fact, most of the actual learning of the subject matter for this course will occur during your homework sessions. Traditionally, students who do the homework assignments regularly, usually do well in the course and meet the course objectives. Your textbook has many end-of-section practice problems and exercises to help with your understanding of the material under study. The answers to selected problems are given in the back of your book. You should use these resources, as needed, to help you get the most out of this introduction to Differential Equations.

The actual homework problems to be evaluated for grading purposes are given below. The problems given here were taken from a variety of sources, including your textbook by Edwards and Penny. As discussed in class, the homeworks are due roughly every other class period throughout the semester. One or two problems from each HW set will be graded, and the cummulative grade for your HW will be equivalent to an exam grade. This is significant since it can be a great way to help improve your final grade in this course -- in addition to assuring that you really understand the material from this course.

The specific Homework Assignments and Projects for the current semester are listed below (with links to the associated pdf file):

Chapter I: First Order Differential Equations
Section
Topic
Assignment #
1.1
Differential Equations and Mathematical Models
1.2
Integrals as General and Particular Solutions
1.4
Separable Equations and Applications
1.5
Linear First-Order Equations and Applications
1.3
Slope Fields and Solution Curves
1.6
Separable, Linear, and Exact Equations and Substitution Methods

Project #1: Energy Balance Calculations for Heat-Up of the UMLRR Pool

proj1, tave_022707.m


Chapter II: Mathematical Models and Numerical Methods
Section
Topic
Assignment #
2.4
Numerical Approximations: Euler's Method
2.5 & 2.6
Numerical Approximations: Improved Euler and Runge-Kutta Methods
2.1 - 2.3
Mathematical Models and Autonomous Systems

Chapter III: Linear Equations of Higher Order
Section
Topic
Assignment #
3.1
Introduction: Higher-Order Linear Equations
3.2 & 3.3
Linear Constant Coefficient Homogeneous Systems
3.5
Linear Constant Coefficient Nonhomogeneous Systems
3.4, 3.6-3.7
Applications Involving 2nd Order Linear Systems

Chapter IV: Introduction to Systems of Differential Equations
Section
Topic
Assignment #
4.1 & 4.3
Numerical and Symbolic Solution of Higher Order Systems

Chapter VII: Laplace Transform Methods
Section
Topic
Assignment #
7.1 & 7.2
Introduction to Laplace Transforms
7.3 & 7.4
More Laplace Transforms

Good Luck -- and, of course, don't hesitate to contact me or come to see me during office hours if you have any questions...

Last updated by Prof. John R. White (May 2007)

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