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A Problem-Solving Approach to Ordinary Differential Equations

Volume I

  • 2026
  • Book

About this book

Mastering ordinary differential equations (ODE) is crucial for success in numerous fields of science and engineering, as these powerful mathematical tools are indispensable for modeling and understanding the world around us. From the motion of celestial bodies to the flow of electric currents, ODEs provide the language to describe dynamic systems.
To truly grasp the concepts and techniques of differential equations, practice is paramount. "A Problem-Solving Approach to Ordinary Differential Equations" is your essential guide, offering a comprehensive, four-volume set filled with plenty of meticulously solved, step-by-step problems designed to build your skills and deepen your understanding. This book empowers you to confidently tackle any ODE, transforming challenges into triumphs.

Table of Contents

  1. Frontmatter

  2. Chapter 1. A Review of Limits, Derivatives, and Integrals

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the core concepts of calculus, focusing on limits, derivatives, and integrals, and demonstrates how MATLAB can be utilized to solve these problems effectively. It begins with a concise review of limits, explaining their significance and providing practical examples. The text then explores L’Hopital’s Rule for evaluating indeterminate forms, followed by a thorough examination of derivatives, including key differentiation rules and their applications. Partial derivatives are also discussed, highlighting their role in multivariable functions. The chapter further covers integrals, both definite and indefinite, and introduces tabular integration for complex integrals. Fractional integrals and polynomial division are also addressed. The practical application of these concepts is illustrated through various MATLAB examples, showcasing how to calculate limits, derivatives, and integrals using symbolic computation. The chapter concludes with exercises and examples that verify and reinforce the theoretical concepts, making it a comprehensive guide for professionals looking to enhance their calculus skills and apply them using MATLAB.
  3. Chapter 2. Review of Trigonometry

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the essentials of trigonometry, covering angle measurements in degrees, radians, and grads, and providing practical examples for conversions. It explores trigonometric functions for right triangles, including sine, cosine, and tangent, and their applications in solving real-world problems. The chapter also discusses the Law of Sines and Cosines, area calculations using Heron's formula, and important trigonometric relationships. Additionally, it introduces hyperbolic functions and demonstrates how to solve trigonometric problems using MATLAB, offering a unique blend of theory and practical application. The chapter concludes with examples of plotting trigonometric functions and calculating their periods, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.
  4. Chapter 3. A Review of Algebra

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the fundamentals of equation-solving methods and linear algebra, with a particular emphasis on practical applications using MATLAB. It begins with a thorough review of first and second-order algebraic equations, including special cases and numeric examples. The chapter then explores absolute value equations, matrix multiplication, and the properties of determinants and matrix inversion. Practical examples and MATLAB code snippets are provided throughout to illustrate the concepts. The chapter concludes with a demonstration of how to solve systems of equations using matrices and MATLAB. Additionally, it showcases various MATLAB functions for generating matrices, calculating determinants, and finding matrix inverses. The chapter also includes a comparison of transpose operators in MATLAB. Overall, this chapter offers a comprehensive guide to applying linear algebra concepts in MATLAB, making it an invaluable resource for professionals seeking to enhance their problem-solving skills.
  5. Chapter 4. Classification of Differential Equations

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the classification of differential equations, with a primary focus on ordinary differential equations (ODEs). It begins by defining ODEs and their general form, highlighting the key components such as the independent and dependent variables, derivatives, and the function F. The text then explores the concepts of order and degree, which are crucial for classifying ODEs. Through detailed examples, it demonstrates how to determine the order and degree of various ODEs, providing a clear understanding of these concepts. Additionally, the chapter discusses the importance of linearity in differential equations, distinguishing between linear and nonlinear ODEs. Solved examples and exercises are included to reinforce the learning process, making this chapter an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of differential equations.
  6. Chapter 5. First-Order Differential Equations

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the world of first-order differential equations, which are pivotal in modeling phenomena such as population growth, radioactive decay, and heat flow. It begins with an introduction to the general form of these equations and their significance in various scientific and engineering fields. The chapter then explores different types of first-order equations, including separable, linear, and exact equations, each with specific methods for finding solutions. A key focus is on solving linear differential equations using integrating factors, with detailed steps and examples provided. The chapter also highlights the importance of certain integrals and demonstrates their application through solved examples. MATLAB is utilized to verify results, adding a practical dimension to the theoretical explanations. Additionally, the chapter covers more complex equations involving trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, showcasing the versatility of first-order differential equations. The inclusion of exercises and initial conditions further enhances the learning experience, making this chapter a comprehensive guide for professionals seeking to master first-order differential equations.
  7. Chapter 6. Solving Differential Equations with a Change of Variable (I)

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the art of solving higher-order differential equations by reducing their order through strategic variable substitutions. It focuses on two primary cases: equations that do not explicitly contain the dependent variable and those that do not contain the independent variable. The chapter provides a step-by-step guide on how to transform these higher-order equations into first-order differential equations, making them easier to solve. It includes solved examples that illustrate the application of these methods, along with MATLAB implementations to verify the solutions. The chapter also explores special cases and provides a comprehensive set of solutions for various differential equations. By the end of the chapter, readers will have a solid understanding of how to approach and solve complex differential equations using variable substitution techniques.
  8. Chapter 7. Solving Differential Equations with a Change of Variable (II)

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into solving differential equations through variable substitution and leveraging MATLAB for both symbolic and numerical solutions. It covers a range of differential equations, from basic to complex, providing detailed examples and solutions. The chapter demonstrates how to verify solutions and includes practical applications using MATLAB, such as plotting solutions and comparing results. Additionally, it addresses the limitations of symbolic solutions and the necessity of numerical methods in certain cases. The chapter concludes with a comparison of different solution methods, highlighting the accuracy and efficiency of MATLAB's numerical solvers.
  9. Chapter 8. Supplementary Techniques for Solving First-Order Differential Equations

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into advanced techniques for solving first-order differential equations, focusing on practical applications and verification methods. It covers essential relationships and provides step-by-step solutions to various differential equations. The chapter includes examples that demonstrate how to use MATLAB for symbolic computation and simplification, enhancing the understanding of complex mathematical expressions. Additionally, it explores the verification of solutions through detailed calculations and visual aids, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter. Readers will gain insights into solving differential equations involving implicit functions and understanding the consistency of results through different methods.
  10. Chapter 9. The Exact Differential Equations

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the world of exact differential equations, focusing on their definition, conditions, and solutions. It begins by explaining the key condition for an equation to be exact and how this leads to the implicit solution given by a function F(x, y) = C. The text then explores various methods to solve exact differential equations, including specific formulas and the use of MATLAB for symbolic differentiation. Through numerous examples, such as Example 9.1 and Example 9.2, the chapter demonstrates how to determine and solve these equations. It also covers more complex scenarios, like solving equations with trigonometric functions and verifying solutions. The chapter concludes with a discussion on non-exact equations and their solutions, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic.
  11. Chapter 10. The Integrating Factor

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the concept of integrating factors, which are crucial for solving differential equations. It covers the standard form of first-order linear differential equations and the general form of first-order differential equations, providing detailed explanations and examples for each case. The text also explores the use of MATLAB for solving differential equations, demonstrating how to find integrating factors and verify their effectiveness. Through numerous examples and exercises, readers will gain a deep understanding of how to apply integrating factors to transform non-exact equations into exact ones, facilitating easier integration and solution. The chapter concludes with practical applications and verifications, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the topic.
  12. Chapter 11. Cauchy–Euler Equation

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the Cauchy–Euler equation, a type of differential equation characterized by the power of the independent variable matching the order of the derivative. The chapter begins by introducing the general form of the equation and demonstrating how to convert it into a linear differential equation with constant coefficients. It then explores various examples, ranging from second-order to higher-order equations, providing both analytical solutions and MATLAB implementations for validation. The chapter also covers non-homogeneous equations and demonstrates how to find particular solutions. Additionally, it addresses boundary value problems and provides exercises for further practice. The use of MATLAB throughout the chapter not only validates the solutions but also offers a practical approach to solving these equations, making it a valuable resource for professionals who need to apply these concepts in their work.
  13. Chapter 12. Bernoulli’s Equation

    Farzin Asadi
    Dive into the world of Bernoulli's equation, a first-order nonlinear differential equation with the form y' + p(x)y = q(x)yn, where n is any real number except 0 or 1. This chapter explores the transformation of nonlinear Bernoulli's equations into linear forms through clever substitutions, making them easier to solve. Through a series of solved examples, you'll learn how to tackle various forms of Bernoulli's equation, including those with specific values of n. The chapter also demonstrates the use of MATLAB for symbolic computation, providing practical solutions to differential equations. Discover how to verify solutions and explore the equivalence of different forms. Whether you're dealing with complex-valued functions or seeking to understand the underlying mathematics, this chapter offers a comprehensive guide to mastering Bernoulli's equation.
  14. Chapter 13. Clairaut’s Equation

    Farzin Asadi
    Dive into the fascinating world of Clairaut's differential equation, a first-order nonlinear equation with a unique structure. This chapter explores the equation's form and the methods to find its solutions. Through differentiation, you'll discover how to derive the general solution, a family of straight lines, and the singular solution, an envelope that touches each line in the general solution family at exactly one point. The chapter provides a series of solved examples, demonstrating the application of these methods to specific equations. Additionally, it showcases the use of MATLAB for solving and verifying these differential equations, offering a practical approach to understanding and applying the concepts. Whether you're looking to solve a specific equation or understand the underlying principles, this chapter offers a comprehensive guide to Clairaut's differential equation and its solutions.
  15. Chapter 14. Riccati Equation

    Farzin Asadi
    This chapter delves into the Riccati equation, a first-order nonlinear differential equation of the form y' = p(x)y^2 + q(x)y + r(x). The key focus is on transforming this equation into a solvable linear form using a particular solution. The chapter covers several solved examples, demonstrating the transformation process and providing step-by-step solutions. MATLAB implementations are used to verify these solutions, ensuring accuracy and practical application. Additionally, the chapter explores specific cases where the integral cannot be solved analytically, offering alternative methods and insights. The practical examples and MATLAB code snippets make this chapter a valuable resource for understanding and solving Riccati equations effectively.
Title
A Problem-Solving Approach to Ordinary Differential Equations
Author
Farzin Asadi
Copyright Year
2026
Electronic ISBN
978-3-032-10088-7
Print ISBN
978-3-032-10087-0
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10088-7

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