Differential equations

[Superfly]

Poll question: Differential equations

Hi everybody!

I am starting my master's in environmental engineering (undergrad in geology) after being out of school for seven years.

First up in the pipe? Differential equations.

So, my question is, what do I have to look forward to? (I did very well in calculus, but that was nearly a decade ago)

[wtmusic]

1. I went back to college after 15 years and took Calculus

It all comes back, with more understanding. Now the integrals... :(

[ewagner]

2. Sympathies extended

My son took Differiential Equations last Spring and Partial Diff this fall. He's always been a math whiz but these courses had him struggling for the first time in his life.

I understand that Diff is easier if you have taken Linear Algebra first.

Good luck my friend.

[Superfly]

3. Linear Algebra? Is this something I should be aware of?

?

[Bill McBlueState]

7. linear algebra

Is mostly about matrices and systems of equations -- it does make it easier to learn differential equations, but the linear algebra you'll use in a diff eq class is pretty straightforward. You might want to get an intro linear algebra book and skim through it to see if the stuff looks familiar.

As for the diff eq class itself, it depends on what department is teaching it. If you're taking it through the physics department or an engineering department, it should be relatively easy. But my experience was that, in the math department, they spend a lot of time going off on theoretical tangents, and less time on the physically useful aspects.

Hope that helps.

[progressivejazz]

8. Linear Algebra is a beautiful and useful subject.

But I've never thought of it as a prerequisite for differential equations.

Linear Algebra is basically the study of vector spaces. Remember the vectors you saw in Physics I? Now imagine the mathematicians making a series of abstractions from that to make it as general as possible so that even sets of functions could take the place of the arrows. You would find that appropriate sets of functions could be found as the solutions to certain differential equations. So there's one tie-in. I've oversimplified. It gets very complicated and very beautiful.

[progressivejazz]

4. Your calculus will come back to you.

And then you'll find differential equations very straightforward. Basically just a bunch of techniques you have to remember. The subject itself gets very involved, but you won't see any of that in a first course.

I assume it's ordinary differential equations. Partial differential equations can get more complicated, but they're straightforward, too. But you can't study partials without studying or having studied ordinaries. So if it's both, the course will be so watered down it will be a breeze.

Just one opinion; but one based on experience.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. You'll Get Through It

For most people, myself included, the light just goes on at one point. It seems of matter of rote learning and doing what the example problems say, and then, bing!, most folks go "AHA! That's what's going on here." Some folks take longer than others, but most get through it and most get something out of it. I've never taught it, (the math courses i've taught are in statistical mechanics or multivariate modeling), but i took it some time ago. So, i can speak from personal experience, as well as the experiences related to me by other professional folks.

G'luck, but you'll do fine.
The Professor

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. You'll love it!! I loved diffy-Q

the world (the universe) really began opening up for me during that class, and then especially in later application of diffy-Q in electrical systems (and other dynamic real world systems) and physics and quantum machanics.

It's wonderfuL!!

[TheMightyFavog]

9. Oy!

College Algebra was bad enough! I hit the C-wall (Got a C- last time around! :argh:) with this class, so I now have to take Quantative Reasoning instead so I can get my A.A. and transfer out of this shithole! Just thinking about functions is making my head hurt!

[Guaranteed]

10. Differential equations are totally different than any

algebra or calculus you've had up to this point. I was always REALLY good at math, and I had to actually start going to class (although I didn't follow through and, thus, got a D+) and listening to the teacher when I began studying them. They are a BITCH to learn. It's an entirely new way of thinking.

If you've always had to study math to get it, you shouldn't have too much of a problem learning them, because it's just going to be more hard studying. However, if you've always been quick on the uptake, be prepared- this is a new way of thinking, and you're going to have to adjust to it.

Just my two cents. :)

[Bossy Monkey]

11. You will breeze

I did well enough in hs calculus to place out of a semester in college and unfortunately took advantage of this. Thus I struggled with another couple semesters of calculus at Penn (some misguided idea of avoiding the science requirements). Nine years later, I took a Master's in Economics, romping triumphant over any and all calculus coursework. So if you thrived the first time, you will no doubt do even better the next time around. Nearly a decade isn't that long a time.

[ZenLefty]

12. I took the course twice, and taught it once

It was a required course from the mathematics school, and I had to take a slightly different version in the physics school. Then I ended up teaching a lesser version of it the next year.

You'd think I would remember one lick of that information after all that. Nope. Nowadays, I wouldn't know a DiffyQ if it bit me in the ass.

[Norbert]

13. Diffeq was the lowest grade I had

when I went for my BS (a C-). I just wasn't able to grasp it very well and it wasn't the professors fault at all. He was one of the better instructors I had in college. I actually dropped down and retook the Calculus class leading up to Diffeq after finding out I wasn't ready.

I think back then If I took the class over again I probably would have understood it better.

I voted for the middle one (attainable but a steep learning curve). Get a good instructor and ask a bunch of question if you need to.

[Kellanved]

14. you'll have no problems

The awe-inspiring name is really the worst part of it.

[omshanti]

15. Depends on how well the concepts are taught

you should have no problem with it if you have a good teacher. I had Diff eq twice - once in the math dept and once in the engineering department. It was a horrible experience in the math department because I couldn't understand a damn thing, but in the engineering dept I saw the practical applications of Diff Eq and suddenly it all made sense.

Good luck!