Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This book, written for undergraduate engineering and applied mathematics students, incorporates a broad coverage of essential standard topics in differential equations with new material important to the engineering and applied mathematics fields. Because linear differential equations and systems play an essential role in many applications, the book presents linear algebra using a detailed development of matrix algebra, preceded by a short discussion of the algebra of vectors. New ideas are introduced with carefully chosen illustrative examples, which in turn are reinforced by the problem sets at the end of each section.

The problem sets are divided into two parts. The first part contains straightforward problems similar to those in the text that are designed to emphasize key concepts and develop manipulative skills. The second part provides a more difficult group of problems that both extend the text and provide a deeper insight into the subject.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

An extensive and thorough treatment of the techniques involved in determining exact solutions to differential equations. Part 1 consists of analytical prerequisites; Part 2 is a full development of matrix-oriented linear algebra (including diagonalization but not Jordan form); and Part 3 is an extended study of ordinary differential equations and systems of differential equations. Some numerical methods and qualitative theory are introduced, but the emphasis is squarely on classical topics of interest to engineers and applied scientists, topics such as linear equations, Laplace and z-transforms, and series solutions, to name but a few. Applications are supplied throughout the book but are generally presented in a condensed form. The material is accessible to undergraduates, but the text is sufficiently concise so as to be recommended more for those wishing information on specific items than for students starting from scratch in their study of differential equations. A nice variety of exercises is provided, along with answers to the odd-numbered problems. A thorough index and a list of suggested readings are included. A worthwhile and well-written reference for college libraries. -S. J. Colley, Oberlin College