- #1
Speedo
- 20
- 0
I'm looking for any resources you guys can point me to on "real" applications for differential equations. I have a relatively decent grasp of the math, but it's very frustrating for me learning sterile math with no idea what it's used for, especially since I figure that I'm going to actually have to use it down the road (aerospace engineering major). So far in the class we've done one (!) applications-type problem, something with a sprig, which the instructor basically gave up on after about 5 minutes, and said it would be extra credit for anyone who could solve it.
I really think most of this is because the instructor isn't really that comfortable with Diff Eq, but it's his turn to teach it so we're SOL. I mean, for example, I get the idea that real-world diff eq involves a lot of computer applications - at least the book includes a lot of material aimed at it. Aside from his fumbling through the first section of that in the first chapter we've not touched a thing, because he has no idea how to use Maple.
Of course our book (An Introduction to Differential Equations: Order and Chaos, Florin Diacu) does have some stuff in it, but IMO it's not very well written... it's a struggle just to interpret the basic concepts from it.
Anyway, thanks for the help.
I really think most of this is because the instructor isn't really that comfortable with Diff Eq, but it's his turn to teach it so we're SOL. I mean, for example, I get the idea that real-world diff eq involves a lot of computer applications - at least the book includes a lot of material aimed at it. Aside from his fumbling through the first section of that in the first chapter we've not touched a thing, because he has no idea how to use Maple.
Of course our book (An Introduction to Differential Equations: Order and Chaos, Florin Diacu) does have some stuff in it, but IMO it's not very well written... it's a struggle just to interpret the basic concepts from it.
Anyway, thanks for the help.