Differential Equations and Linear Algebra

by jerry-farlow-james-e-hall-jeanie-mcdill-beverly-h-west, Beverly H. West, James E. Hall

For Differential Equation and Linear Algebra courses at a sophomore level. Using a unique, student-friendly approach to teaching differential equations, this text encourages students to think both quantitatively and qualitatively when approaching differential equations. Before finding the analytical solution of a differential equation, the text presents the qualitative aspects of the problem―the directional field, the bounded solutions, their range, the presence of constant solutions and so on―to help students use linear algebra to think about the physical systems being modeled. In addition, this text features a fluid integration of linear algebra therefore emphasizing the inter-relatedness of differential equations and linear algebra.

641 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2001

Reviews

[Sam Bateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, covers the given topics at a very surface level. The examples are generally fairly clear with the exception of some places where the author just skips a step, assuming it is obvious. Overall, this provides a simple introduction to ODEs. Wouldn't recommend this book for self study though.

[yyy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This serves as an alright introduction to both topics. I wouldn't recommend this as a first AND last resource for diffeq/linalg, but it's alright for beginners. Also, ignore those various reviews (on amazon and elsewhere) wherein people say one needs to be a "whiz" or anything more than an attentive reader to "tackle" this book: those are the people who would very likely never understand the material, regardless of the style of its presentation.

There are tons of diffeq/linalg texts out there, so if this doesn't strike your fancy, jump over to the next one. I would not recommend paying full price for this, however. Buy it used or steal it from a friend; I wouldn't pay more than, say, $25 for it.

[El Calvador · Rating 2 out of 5]

Examples and some exercise solutions were wrong and I wasted time trying to figure out why my solution didn't match the given solutions but for basic knowledge the read isn't so bad