MATH2400, Introduction to Differential Equations


Class Notes, Spring 2004

We're grateful to Kristian Montenegro for providing us with these excellent notes. Thanks Kristian!

Chapter 2

  • Section 2.2, separation of variables for first-order equations
  • Section 2.3, circuits
  • Section 2.3, mixing
  • Section 2.3, compound interest, radioactive decay, cooling, gravitation
  • Section 2.3, review
  • Section 2.5, population growth and graphical methods for autonomous equations
  • Section 2.7, Euler's method

    Chapter 3

  • Section 3.1, second-order equations (case of different real roots of characteristic equation)
  • Section 3.2, superposition principle and solving initial value problem
  • Section 3.3, linear independence and vector space interpretation
  • Section 3.3, linear independence and vector space interpretation, continued
  • Section 3.4, case of complex roots of characteristic equation
  • Section 3.5, case of double roots of characteristic equation
  • Section 3.6, inhomogeneous equations
  • Section 3.6, more on inhomogeneous equations
  • Section 3.8, mechanical vibrations, undamped free case
  • Section 3.8, mechanical vibrations, damped free case, and LRC circuits
  • Section 3.9, forced mechanical vibrations

    Chapter 7

  • Sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.3: Introduction to systems, review of matrices, introduction to eigenvalues
  • Section 7.3, more on eigenvalues and eigenvectors
  • Section 7.5, solving systems of linear, constant-coefficient ODEs

    Chapter 10

  • Section 10.1, Two-point boundary value problems
  • more on Section 10.1, Two-point boundary value problems
  • Section 10.2, Fourier series
  • Section 10.3, more on Fourier series
  • Section 10.4, Fourier series for even and odd functions
  • Outline of the separation of variables method for solving the heat equation
  • Section 10.5, the heat equation with homogeneous boundary conditions
  • Section 10.6, the heat equation with non-homogeneous boundary conditions
  • Section 10.6, an example of the heat equation with non-homogeneous boundary conditions
  • Section 10.7, a modified wave equation equation with free ends
  • Section 10.8, Laplace's equation