Department of Mathematical Science
Carnegie Mellon University
21-260 - Differential Equations
Fall 2017
Aug 28: Introduction to the course, motivations and examples
Aug 30: Review of the basic notions needed in the course: derivation and integration
Aug 31: Recitation: review of the basic notions of derivation and integration
Sept 1: Basic definitions, classification of ODEs, initial value problems
Sept 4:Labor Day - NO CLASSES
Sept 6: Population growth’s equation (linear first order ODEs)
Sept 7: Recitation: on linear first order ODEs
Sept 8: Linear first order ODEs
Sep 11: Draining a tank (separable equations)
Sep 13: On calculus in two variables
Sep 14: Recitation: on separable and exact equations
Sep 15: The lazy hiker (exact equations and integrating factor)
Sep 18: Logistic equation (Bernoulli’s type equations)
Sep 20: Geometric interpretation of ODEs
Sep 21: Recitation: Review for the midterm
Sep 22: Review for the midterm
Sep 25:First Midterm
Sep 27: On Bernoulli’s type equations
Sep 28: Recitation: on Bernoulli equations and the catenary
Sep 29: Higher order equations: basic notions and results.
Linear homogeneous equations with constant coefficient
Oct 2: Non-homogeneous second order linear equations with constant coefficients:
undetermined coefficients
Oct 4: Non-homogeneous second order linear equations with constant coefficients:
variation of constants
Oct 5: Recitation: Non-homogeneous second order linear equations with constant coefficients
Oct 6: Non-homogeneous second order linear equations with constant coefficients:
variation of constants
Oct 9: Wronskian and Green’s function
Oct 11: A bit of theory of general second order equations
Oct 12: Recitation:
Oct 13: Damped harmonic oscillator
Oct 16: Driven damped harmonic oscillator and nonlinear oscillations
Oct 18:Second Midterm
Oct 19: Recitation: Cauchy-Euler differential equation
Oct 20:Mid-semester break - NO CLASSES
