Chapter 15
What’s So Different about Differential Equations?
In This Chapter
Classifying different types of differential equations (DEs)
Understanding the connection between DEs and integrals
Checking a proposed solution to a DE
Seeing how DEs arise in the physical world
Using a variety of methods to solve DEs
The very mention of differential equations (DEs for short) strikes a spicy combination of awe, horror, and utter confusion into nonmathematical minds. Even intrepid calculus students have been known to consider a career in art history when these untamed beasts come into focus on the radar screen. Just what are differential equations? Where do they come from? Why are they necessary? And how in the world do you solve them?
In this chapter, I answer these questions and give you some familiarity with DEs. I show you how to identify the basic types of DEs so that if you’re ever at a math department cocktail party (lucky you!), you won’t feel completely adrift. I relate DEs to the ...
Get Calculus II For Dummies, 2nd Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
