Math Academy

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have mastered the following:

First-Order Differential Equations

Solve first-order differential equations using integrating factors.
Identify and apply substitutions to convert first-order differential equations into forms that permit known solution techniques including separation of variables and integrating factors.
Solve special first-order differential equations including exact equations and instances of Bernoulli’s equation.
Reason about the solutions of differential equations using the existence and uniqueness theorem.
Leverage qualitative techniques such as phase lines, equilibrium solutions, and bifurcation diagrams to infer properties of solutions of first-order differential equations.
Construct and solve first-order differential equation models in a variety of real-world modeling contexts including population growth, temperature cooling, mechanics, and more.

Second-Order Differential Equations

Use reduction of order to reduce second-order differential equations to first-order differential equations for which solution techniques are known.
Use the characteristic equation in conjunction with the superposition principle to solve homogeneous linear second-order differential equations.
Interpret the right-hand side of an inhomogeneous differential equation as a forcing function, and use the method of undetermined coefficients to find particular solutions for various types of forcing functions.
Use variation of parameters as a general technique for finding a particular solution to an inhomogeneous second-order differential equation.
Solve instances of the Cauchy-Euler equation.
Construct and solve second-order differential equation models in a variety of real-world modeling contexts including oscillators and vibrating systems.
Extend second-order solution techniques to Nth-order linear differential equations.

Systems of Linear Differential Equations

Solve homogeneous systems of linear differential equations by computing eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Express higher-order differential equations as first-order systems.
Extend qualitative techniques and variation of parameters to systems of linear differential equations.
Construct and solve systems of differential equations in a variety of real-world modeling contexts including predator-prey populations and the motion of a mass on a spring.

Alternative Solution Techniques

Compute Laplace transforms and use them to solve differential equations.
Find the recurrence relation that generates a power series solution for a given differential equation.
Employ numerical techniques including Euler’s method and the Runge-Kutta method to estimate solutions to initial value problems.

Advanced Topics

Use perturbation theory to find approximate solutions to differential equations starting from exact solutions in simpler cases.
Construct and solve partial differential equations in a variety of real-world modeling contexts including heat diffusion, waves, and vibrating strings.

Preliminaries

9 topics

1.1. Integration

	1.1.1.	Differentiation Under the Integral Sign
	1.1.2.	Big-O Notation
	1.1.3.	Properties of Big-O Notation
	1.1.4.	Little-O Notation
	1.1.5.	Blank Topic
	1.1.6.	Blank Topic
	1.1.7.	Blank Topic
	1.1.8.	Blank Topic
	1.1.9.	Blank Topic

First-Order Differential Equations

36 topics

2.2. Separation of Variables

	2.2.1.	Introduction to Differential Equations
	2.2.2.	Verifying Solutions of Differential Equations
	2.2.3.	Solving First-Order ODEs Using Direct Integration
	2.2.4.	Solving First-Order ODEs Using Separation of Variables
	2.2.5.	Solving First-Order Initial Value Problems Using Separation of Variables

2.3. First-Order Linear ODEs With Constant Coefficients

	2.3.1.	First-Order Linear ODEs
	2.3.2.	First-Order Linear ODEs With Polynomial Forcing
	2.3.3.	First-Order Linear ODEs With Exponential Forcing
	2.3.4.	First-Order Linear ODEs With Sinusoidal Forcing

2.4. Techniques for Solving First-Order ODEs

	2.4.1.	Solving First-Order ODEs Using Integrating Factors
	2.4.2.	Solving First-Order ODEs by Substitution
	2.4.3.	Further Solving First-Order ODEs by Substitution
	2.4.4.	Reducing ODEs to First-Order Linear by Substitution

2.5. Special First-Order Equations

	2.5.1.	Homogeneous Functions
	2.5.2.	Homogeneous First-Order ODEs
	2.5.3.	Exact Differential Equations
	2.5.4.	Solving Exact ODEs Using Integrating Factors
	2.5.5.	Bernoulli Differential Equations
	2.5.6.	Riccati Differential Equations
	2.5.7.	Clairaut Differential Equations
	2.5.8.	d'Alembert's Differential Equation

2.6. Existence, Uniqueness, and Intervals of Validity

	2.6.1.	Intervals of Validity of Differential Equations
	2.6.2.	Existence of Solutions to Differential Equations
	2.6.3.	Uniqueness of Solutions to Differential Equations

2.7. Slope Fields

	2.7.1.	Slope Fields for Directly Integrable Differential Equations
	2.7.2.	Slope Fields for Autonomous Differential Equations
	2.7.3.	Slope Fields for Nonautonomous Differential Equations
	2.7.4.	Analyzing Slope Fields for Directly Integrable Differential Equations
	2.7.5.	Analyzing Slope Fields for Autonomous Differential Equations
	2.7.6.	Analyzing Slope Fields for Nonautonomous Differential Equations

2.8. Qualitative Techniques for Differential Equations

	2.8.1.	Qualitative Analysis of Differential Equations
	2.8.2.	Equilibrium Solutions of Differential Equations
	2.8.3.	Phase Lines
	2.8.4.	Classifying Equilibrium Solutions
	2.8.5.	Linear Stability Analysis
	2.8.6.	Qualitative Analysis of First-Order Periodic Equations

Modeling With First-Order Differential Equations

21 topics

3.9. Introduction to Modeling With First-Order ODEs

	3.9.1.	Modeling With First-Order ODEs
	3.9.2.	Further Modeling First-Order ODEs
	3.9.3.	Exponential Growth and Decay Models With Differential Equations
	3.9.4.	Exponential Growth and Decay Models With Differential Equations: Calculating Unknown Times and Initial Values
	3.9.5.	Exponential Growth and Decay Models With Differential Equations: Half-Life Problems

3.10. Inhibited Growth and Decay Models

	3.10.1.	Inhibited Growth Models With Differential Equations
	3.10.2.	Inhibited Decay Models With Differential Equations

3.11. Logistic Growth Models

	3.11.1.	Logistic Growth Models With Differential Equations
	3.11.2.	Qualitative Analysis of the Logistic Growth Equation
	3.11.3.	Solving the Logistic Growth Equation

3.12. Applications of First-Order Differential Equations

	3.12.1.	Velocity and Acceleration as Functions of Displacement
	3.12.2.	Determining Properties of Objects Described as Functions of Displacement
	3.12.3.	Falling Body Problems With Linear Drag
	3.12.4.	Falling Body Problems With Quadratic Drag
	3.12.5.	Escape Velocity
	3.12.6.	Planetary Motion
	3.12.7.	Particles Moving Along Curves
	3.12.8.	Dilution Problems
	3.12.9.	Electrical Circuits
	3.12.10.	Orthogonal Trajectories
	3.12.11.	Steady-State Solutions of First-Order Linear ODEs

Second-Order Differential Equations

30 topics

4.13. Introduction to Homogeneous Linear ODEs

	4.13.1.	Linear Differential Operators
	4.13.2.	Introduction to Second-Order Linear ODEs
	4.13.3.	The Superposition Principle
	4.13.4.	Reduction of Order
	4.13.5.	The Wronskian and Linear Independence
	4.13.6.	Abel's Identity
	4.13.7.	General Solutions of Homogeneous Linear ODEs
	4.13.8.	Uniqueness of Solutions for Second-Order Linear ODEs

4.14. Second-Order Homogeneous ODEs with Constant Coefficients

	4.14.1.	Second-Order Homogeneous ODEs: Characteristic Equations With Distinct Real Roots
	4.14.2.	Second-Order Homogeneous ODEs: Characteristic Equations With Repeated Roots
	4.14.3.	Second-Order Homogeneous ODEs: Characteristic Equations With Complex Roots
	4.14.4.	Second-Order Homogeneous ODEs: Initial Value Problems

4.15. Second-Order Inhomogeneous ODEs with Constant Coefficients

	4.15.1.	Second-Order Linear ODEs With Polynomial Forcing
	4.15.2.	Second-Order Linear ODEs With Exponential Forcing
	4.15.3.	Second-Order Linear ODEs With Sinusoidal Forcing
	4.15.4.	The Method of Variation of Parameters

4.16. The Cauchy-Euler Equation

	4.16.1.	The Cauchy-Euler Equation: Characteristic Equations With Distinct Real Roots
	4.16.2.	The Cauchy-Euler Equation: Characteristic Equations With Repeated Roots
	4.16.3.	The Cauchy-Euler Equation: Characteristic Equations With Complex Roots
	4.16.4.	The Cauchy-Euler Equation With Forcing

4.17. Special Second-Order Linear ODEs

	4.17.1.	Airy's Differential Equation
	4.17.2.	Bessel's Differential Equation
	4.17.3.	Chebyshev Differential Equation
	4.17.4.	Hermite Differential Equation
	4.17.5.	Laguerre Differential Equation
	4.17.6.	Legendre Differential Equation

4.18. Higher-Order Linear ODEs

	4.18.1.	Introduction to Nth-Order Linear ODEs
	4.18.2.	Nth-Order Linear Homogeneous Differential Equations
	4.18.3.	Nth-Order Linear Inhomogeneous Differential Equations
	4.18.4.	Variation of Parameters With Nth-Order ODEs

Modeling With Second-Order Differential Equations

8 topics

5.19. Mechanical Vibrations

	5.19.1.	Simple Harmonic Oscillators
	5.19.2.	Damped Oscillators
	5.19.3.	Forced Oscillators
	5.19.4.	Steady-State Behavior for Vibrating Systems
	5.19.5.	Resonance in Vibrating Systems

5.20. Further Applications of Second-Order ODEs

	5.20.1.	Electrical Circuit Problems
	5.20.2.	Buoyancy Problems
	5.20.3.	Classifying Solutions

Systems of Differential Equations

29 topics

6.21. Systems of ODEs

	6.21.1.	Introduction to Systems of Linear Differential Equations
	6.21.2.	Expressing Homogeneous ODEs as First-Order Systems
	6.21.3.	Expressing Inhomogeneous ODEs as First-Order Systems
	6.21.4.	The Linearity Principle for Systems of Linear ODEs
	6.21.5.	Linear Independence for Systems of Linear ODEs

6.22. Solving Systems of Linear ODEs

	6.22.1.	Solving Decoupled Systems of Linear ODEs
	6.22.2.	Solving Systems of Linear ODEs With Real Distinct Eigenvalues
	6.22.3.	Systems of Linear ODEs: Initial Value Problems
	6.22.4.	Solving Systems of Linear ODEs With Repeated Eigenvalues
	6.22.5.	Solving Systems of Linear ODEs With Complex Eigenvalues
	6.22.6.	Solving Inhomogeneous Systems of Linear ODEs

6.23. Phase Portraits for Systems of Linear ODEs

	6.23.1.	Phase Planes and Phase Portraits
	6.23.2.	Stability, Asymptotic Stability, and Instability
	6.23.3.	Phase Portraits for Decoupled Linear Systems
	6.23.4.	Phase Portraits for Linear Systems With Real Distinct Eigenvalues
	6.23.5.	Phase Portraits for Linear Systems With Repeated Eigenvalues
	6.23.6.	Phase Portraits for Linear Systems With Zero Eigenvalues
	6.23.7.	Phase Portraits for Linear Systems With Complex Eigenvalues
	6.23.8.	Shifted Systems of ODEs
	6.23.9.	Linear Approximations Near Equilibria

6.24. Solving Systems of ODEs Using Matrix Methods

	6.24.1.	Matrix Exponentials
	6.24.2.	The Fundamental Matrix
	6.24.3.	Solving Homogeneous Systems of ODEs Using Matrix Methods
	6.24.4.	Solving Inhomogeneous Systems of ODEs Using Matrix Methods
	6.24.5.	Solving Inhomogeneous Systems of ODEs Using Variation of Parameters

6.25. Modeling With Systems of Linear ODEs

	6.25.1.	The Predator-Prey Model
	6.25.2.	The Revised Predator-Prey Model
	6.25.3.	Modeling Mass-Spring Systems
	6.25.4.	The Lorentz Equations

Laplace Transforms

24 topics

7.26. Laplace Transforms

	7.26.1.	The Unit Step Function
	7.26.2.	Laplace Transforms
	7.26.3.	Linearity of Laplace Transforms
	7.26.4.	Laplace Transforms of Piecewise Functions
	7.26.5.	The First Shifting Theorem
	7.26.6.	The Second Shifting Theorem
	7.26.7.	The Smoothness Property
	7.26.8.	Laplace Transforms of Integrals
	7.26.9.	Existence and Uniqueness of Laplace Transforms

7.27. Inverse Laplace Transforms

	7.27.1.	Inverse Laplace Transforms
	7.27.2.	The First Shifting Theorem for Inverse Laplace Transforms
	7.27.3.	The Second Shifting Theorem for Inverse Laplace Transforms

7.28. Solving Linear ODEs Using Laplace Transforms

	7.28.1.	Laplace Transforms of First Derivatives
	7.28.2.	Laplace Transforms of Second Derivatives
	7.28.3.	Solving First-Order ODEs Using Laplace Transforms
	7.28.4.	Solving Second-Order ODEs Using Laplace Transforms
	7.28.5.	Solving Nth-Order ODEs Using Laplace Transforms
	7.28.6.	Solving Homogeneous Systems of ODEs Using Laplace Transforms
	7.28.7.	Solving Inhomogeneous Systems of ODEs Using Laplace Transforms

7.29. Impulse Forcing

	7.29.1.	The Dirac Delta Function
	7.29.2.	The Laplace Transform of the Dirac Delta Function
	7.29.3.	Solving ODEs With Delta Forcing Using Laplace Transforms
	7.29.4.	Convolutions
	7.29.5.	Convolutions and Delta Forcing

Boundary Value Problems

23 topics

8.30. Introduction to Boundary Value Problems

	8.30.1.	Second-Order Homogeneous ODEs: Boundary Value Problems
	8.30.2.	Classification of Boundary Conditions
	8.30.3.	Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions for Boundary Value Problems
	8.30.4.	Orthogonal Functions
	8.30.5.	Green's Function

8.31. Fourier Series

	8.31.1.	Introduction to Fourier Series
	8.31.2.	Fourier Sine Series
	8.31.3.	Fourier Cosine Series
	8.31.4.	Fourier Series of Arbitrary Period
	8.31.5.	Differentiating Fourier Series
	8.31.6.	Integrating Fourier Series
	8.31.7.	Solving ODEs Using Fourier Series
	8.31.8.	Convergence of Fourier Series
	8.31.9.	The Fourier Transform

8.32. Sturm-Liouville Theory

	8.32.1.	The Regular Sturm-Liouville Problem
	8.32.2.	Properties of Sturm-Liouville Eigenvalue Problems
	8.32.3.	The Sturm Comparison Theorem
	8.32.4.	Lagrange's Identity
	8.32.5.	Green's Identity
	8.32.6.	Orthogonality of Eigenfunctions
	8.32.7.	Reality of Eigenvalues
	8.32.8.	The Rayleigh Quotient
	8.32.9.	Eigenfunction Expansion

Approximating Solutions to Differential Equations

27 topics

9.33. Series Solutions of Differential Equations

	9.33.1.	Taylor Series Solutions of Differential Equations
	9.33.2.	Power Series Solutions of Differential Equations
	9.33.3.	Solving Euler's Equation Using Series
	9.33.4.	Regular Singular Points
	9.33.5.	The Method of Frobenius

9.34. Euler's Method

	9.34.1.	Euler's Method: Calculating One Step
	9.34.2.	Euler's Method: Calculating Multiple Steps
	9.34.3.	The Modified Euler Method: Calculating One Step
	9.34.4.	The Modified Euler Method: Calculating Multiple Steps
	9.34.5.	Euler's Method for Systems of ODEs
	9.34.6.	Approximating Solutions to Systems of ODEs Using Euler's Method
	9.34.7.	Euler's Method for Second-Order ODEs
	9.34.8.	Error in Numerical Methods

9.35. Implicit Numerical Methods

	9.35.1.	The Implicit Euler Method
	9.35.2.	The Trapezoidal Method
	9.35.3.	Using the Implicit Euler Method With Newton's Method
	9.35.4.	Using the Trapezoidal Method With Newton's Method
	9.35.5.	Stability of Numerical Methods

9.36. Higher-Order Numerical Methods

	9.36.1.	The Order of a Numerical Method
	9.36.2.	The Runge-Kutta (RK4) Method
	9.36.3.	Solving Initial Value Problems Using RK4
	9.36.4.	The RK Method for Second-Order ODEs
	9.36.5.	The Two-Step Adams-Bashforth-Moulton Method
	9.36.6.	Solving Initial Value Problems Using ABM2
	9.36.7.	Solving Initial Value Problems Using ABM4
	9.36.8.	The Adams-Bashforth-Moulton for Second-Order ODEs
	9.36.9.	Milne's Method for First-Order ODEs

Differential Equations

Overview

Outcomes

Content

First-Order Differential Equations

Second-Order Differential Equations

Systems of Linear Differential Equations

Alternative Solution Techniques

Advanced Topics