MATH 254  Differential Equations  - Catalog Information
Prerequisites: Math 156 and Math 260

Frequency: Fall Term

Credit: (4-0)4  

Content: Existence and uniqueness theorems. First order equations. Trajectories. Higher order linear equations; undetermined   coefficients, variation of parameters and operator methods. Power series solutions. Laplace transform solutions of IVP’s. Theory  of linear systems. Solutions by operator, Laplace and linear algebra methods. Partial differential equations, seperation of variables and Fourier series.  
 

Course Outline:

  •   (1 Week) Introduction: Existence and uniqueness; seperable, linear equations.  
  •   (1 Week) Bernoulli, homogeneous, exact equations, integrationg factors, substitutions.  
  •   (1 Week) Riccati, Clairaut, higher order equations (reduction of order); successive approximations, geometric problems, oblique  and orthogonal trajactories.  
  •   (1 Week) Basic theory of higher order linear equations.   Wronskian, discussions of linearly independent solutions  
  •   (1 Week) Definition of general solutions; reduction of order, homogeneous constant coefficient equations, undetermined coefficients.  
  •  (1 Week) Undetermined coefficients (continued) variation of parameters, Cauchy- Euler equation, operator techniques.  
  •  (1 Week) Operator techniques (continued), Power series solutions.  
  •  (1 Week) Solution around ordinary and regular singular points.  
  •  (1 Week) Solutions around regular singular points (continued), Laplace transforms.  
  •  (1 Week) Laplace transforms (continued)  
  •  (1 Week) Systems; matrix notation, basic properties, solution by elimination (use of operators included).  
  •  (1 Week) Use of Laplace transform techniques and matrix exponential functions.  
  •  (1 Week) Use of matrix exponential functions (continued) Introduction to PDE, general solutions, seperation of variables.  
  •  (1 Week) Initial and boundary value problems (together with Fourier series expansion) for wave and heat equations; boundary  value problems for Laplace equation.  


Suggested textbook: Þafak Alpay, Ersan Akyýldýz, Albert Erkip; Lectures on Differential Equations. Matematik Vakfý, 1995. 
 

Notes: 

  • Grading: For the total sum. Letter grades will be given according to the usual catalog. 
  • Make-up Exams: they will be given after each exam, ONLY for students who have an official medical report. Consult your section instructors. 
  • Inspection of Exam Papers: It must be done ONLY at the time which will be announced after each exam. 
  • Section Change: If the schedule of your section does not fit into your program, you may switch to another section without  informing your instructor. 


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