Differential Equations (with CD-ROM) by Paul Blanchard, Robert L. Devaney, Glen R. Hall

Product Details

Synopsis

Blanchard (mathematics, Boston University) offers a departure from typical "cookbook" differential equations texts. Emphasis is on the formulation of differential equations and the interpretation of their solutions, rather than specialized techniques for deriving formulas for solutions. This third edition treats first-order linear equations using the linearity principle and the extended linearity principle. Review exercises are new, and there are new appendixes on changing variables and power series methods. The CD-ROM now contains an updated edition of DETools software, with printing capability and a new interface useful for classroom demonstrations. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Booknews

A departure from the typical "cookbook" differential equations text, this book/CD-ROM package focuses on the formulation of differential equations and the interpretation of their solutions. To enhance understanding of solutions, equations are tackled from qualitative, numerical, geometric, and graphical perspectives. Other nontraditional features of the text include the incorporation of modeling throughout, and adoption of a dynamical systems perspective. The CD-ROM is new to this edition and contains demonstrations keyed to text exercises. It also includes computer-based tools for investigating the behavior of solutions of differential equations both numerically and graphically. Blanchard has taught college mathematics for 25 years. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Biography

Paul Blanchard is Associate Professor of Mathematics at Boston University. Paul grew up in Sutton, Massachusetts, spent his undergraduate years at Brown University, and received his Ph.D. from Yale University. He has taught college mathematics for twenty-five years, mostly at Boston University. In 2001, he won the Northeast Section of the Mathematical Association of America's Award for Distinguished Teaching in Mathematics. He has coauthored or contributed chapters to four different textbooks. His main area of mathematical research is complex analytic dynamical systems and the related point sets¿Julia sets and the Mandelbrot set. Most recently his efforts have focused on reforming the traditional differential equations course, and he is currently heading the Boston University Differential Equations Project and leading workshops in this innovative approach to teaching differential equations. When he becomes exhausted fixing the errors made by his two coauthors, he usually closes up his CD store and heads to the golf course with his caddy, Glen Hall.

Robert L. Devaney is Professor of Mathematics at Boston University. Robert was raised in Methuen, Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Holy Cross College and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He has taught at Boston University since 1980. His main area of research is complex dynamical systems, and he has lectured extensively throughout the world on this topic. In 1996 he received the National Excellence in Teaching Award from the Mathematical Association of America. When he gets sick of arguing with his coauthors over which topics to include in the differential equations course, he eitherturns up the volume of his opera CDs, or heads for waters off New England for a long distance sail.

Glen R. Hall is Associate Professor of Mathematics at Boston University. Glen spent most of his youth in Denver, Colorado. His undergraduate degree comes from Carleton College and his Ph.D. comes from the University of Minnesota. His research interests are mainly in low-dimensional dynamics and celestial mechanics. He has published numerous articles on the dynamics of circle and annulus maps. For his research he has been awarded both NSF Postdoctoral and Sloan Foundation Fellowships. He has no plans to open a CD store since he is busy raising his two young sons. He is an untalented, but earnest, trumpet player and golfer. He once bicycled 148 miles in a single day.