Skillfully organized introductory text examines origin of differential equations, then defines basic terms and outlines the general solution of a differential equation. Subsequent sections deal with integrating factors; dilution and accretion problems; linearization of first order systems; Laplace Transforms; Newton's Interpolation Formulas, more.

Unlike most texts in differential equations, this textbook gives an early presentation of the Laplace transform, which is then used to motivate and develop many of the remaining differential equation concepts for which it is particularly well suited. For example, the standard solution methods for constant coefficient linear differential equations are immediate and simplified, and solution methods for constant coefficient systems are streamlined. By introducing the Laplace transform early in the text, students become proficient in its use while at the same time learning the standard topics in differential equations. The text also includes proofs of several important theorems that are not usually given in introductory texts. These include a proof of the injectivity of the Laplace transform and a proof of the existence and uniqueness theorem for linear constant coefficient differential equations. Along with its unique traits, this text contains all the topics needed for a standard three- or four-hour, sophomore-level differential equations course for students majoring in science or engineering. These topics include: first order differential equations, general linear differential equations with constant coefficients, second order linear differential equations with variable coefficients, power series methods, and linear systems of differential equations. It is assumed that the reader has had the equivalent of a one-year course in college calculus.

This book develops the theory of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), starting from an introductory level (with no prior experience in ODEs assumed) through to a graduate-level treatment of the qualitative theory, including bifurcation theory (but not chaos). While proofs are rigorous, the exposition is reader-friendly, aiming for the informality of face-to-face interactions. A unique feature of this book is the integration of rigorous theory with numerous applications of scientific interest. Besides providing motivation, this synthesis clarifies the theory and enhances scientific literacy. Other features include: (i) a wealth of exercises at various levels, along with commentary that explains why they matter; (ii) figures with consistent color conventions to identify nullclines, periodic orbits, stable and unstable manifolds; and (iii) a dedicated website with software templates, problem solutions, and other resources supporting the text (www.math.duke.edu/ode-book). Given its many applications, the book may be used comfortably in science and engineering courses as well as in mathematics courses. Its level is accessible to upper-level undergraduates but still appropriate for graduate students. The thoughtful presentation, which anticipates many confusions of beginning students, makes the book suitable for a teaching environment that emphasizes self-directed, active learning (including the so-called inverted classroom).

The Second Edition of Ordinary Differential Equations: An Introduction to the Fundamentals builds on the successful First Edition. It is unique in its approach to motivation, precision, explanation and method. Its layered approach offers the instructor opportunity for greater flexibility in coverage and depth. Students will appreciate the author’s approach and engaging style. Reasoning behind concepts and computations motivates readers. New topics are introduced in an easily accessible manner before being further developed later. The author emphasizes a basic understanding of the principles as well as modeling, computation procedures and the use of technology. The students will further appreciate the guides for carrying out the lengthier computational procedures with illustrative examples integrated into the discussion. Features of the Second Edition: Emphasizes motivation, a basic understanding of the mathematics, modeling and use of technology A layered approach that allows for a flexible presentation based on instructor's preferences and students’ abilities An instructor’s guide suggesting how the text can be applied to different courses New chapters on more advanced numerical methods and systems (including the Runge-Kutta method and the numerical solution of second- and higher-order equations) Many additional exercises, including two "chapters" of review exercises for first- and higher-order differential equations An extensive on-line solution manual About the author: Kenneth B. Howell earned bachelor’s degrees in both mathematics and physics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Indiana University. For more than thirty years, he was a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Dr. Howell published numerous research articles in applied and theoretical mathematics in prestigious journals, served as a consulting research scientist for various companies and federal agencies in the space and defense industries, and received awards from the College and University for outstanding teaching. He is also the author of Principles of Fourier Analysis, Second Edition (Chapman & Hall/CRC, 2016).

Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations is a 12-chapter text that describes useful elementary methods of finding solutions using ordinary differential equations. This book starts with an introduction to the properties and complex variable of linear differential equations. Considerable chapters covered topics that are of particular interest in applications, including Laplace transforms, eigenvalue problems, special functions, Fourier series, and boundary-value problems of mathematical physics. Other chapters are devoted to some topics that are not directly concerned with finding solutions, and that should be of interest to the mathematics major, such as the theorems about the existence and uniqueness of solutions. The final chapters discuss the stability of critical points of plane autonomous systems and the results about the existence of periodic solutions of nonlinear equations. This book is great use to mathematicians, physicists, and undergraduate students of engineering and the science who are interested in applications of differential equation.

Linear Ordinary Differential Equations, a text for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students, presents a thorough development of the main topics in linear differential equations. A rich collection of applications, examples, and exercises illustrates each topic. The authors reinforce students' understanding of calculus, linear algebra, and analysis while introducing the many applications of differential equations in science and engineering. Three recurrent themes run through the book. The methods of linear algebra are applied directly to the analysis of systems with constant or periodic coefficients and serve as a guide in the study of eigenvalues and eigenfunction expansions. The use of power series, beginning with the matrix exponential function leads to the special functions solving classical equations. Techniques from real analysis illuminate the development of series solutions, existence theorems for initial value problems, the asymptotic behavior solutions, and the convergence of eigenfunction expansions.

Ordinary Differential Equations covers the fundamentals of the theory of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), including an extensive discussion of the integration of differential inequalities, on which this theory relies heavily. In addition to these results, the text illustrates techniques involving simple topological arguments, fixed point theorems, and basic facts of functional analysis. Unlike many texts, which supply only the standard simplified theorems, this book presents the basic theory of ODEs in a general way. This SIAM reissue of the 1982 second edition covers invariant manifolds, perturbations, and dichotomies, making the text relevant to current studies of geometrical theory of differential equations and dynamical systems. In particular, Ordinary Differential Equations includes the proof of the Hartman-Grobman theorem on the equivalence of a nonlinear to a linear flow in the neighborhood of a hyperbolic stationary point, as well as theorems on smooth equivalences, the smoothness of invariant manifolds, and the reduction of problems on ODEs to those on "maps" (Poincaré). Audience: readers should have knowledge of matrix theory and the ability to deal with functions of real variables.