What are some recommended books for learning differential equations?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for books on differential equations (DE), with participants sharing their experiences and preferences for various texts. The scope includes both ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations, as well as considerations for learning resources.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recommend "Elementary Differential Equations" by Boyce and DiPrima, citing its conciseness and effectiveness in learning DE.
  • One participant mentions their positive experience with Schaum's Outline and suggests "Standard Deviant's Differential Equations" for its informative and entertaining content.
  • Another participant expresses the need for additional resources specifically for partial differential equations (PDEs).
  • Two books are suggested for PDEs: "Solutions to Partial Differential Equations" by Duffy and "Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers" by S.J. Farlow, with the latter noted for its engaging approach.
  • One participant corrects another regarding the author of the PDE book with a crossword puzzle, acknowledging a mistake in attribution.
  • Another participant highlights the 7th edition of Boyce and DiPrima's book for its comprehensive examples and proofs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of Boyce and DiPrima's book, but there are multiple recommendations for other texts, particularly for PDEs, indicating a variety of preferences and no consensus on a single best resource.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations depend on personal experiences and may not cover all aspects of differential equations comprehensively. The discussion includes corrections and clarifications regarding authorship of specific texts.

Laplace_Wy
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Hello. Do any of you have any good books on DE? Because I was really disappointed with my Calculus book. It had plenty of typos and mistakes in the examples and solved problems.

I am looking for a good book that I might be able to order on the internet or in a bookstore.
 
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Get "Elementary Differential Equations" by Boyce and DiPrima. Boyce "is the man" according to my DE professor. She loves him...

The book is very concise but doesn't skip material, it's a must have.
 
I agree, Boyce and DiPrima is the book to have. I essentially learned Differential Equations from it years ago by methodically doing all the problems and retain much of that knowledge today.

dt
 
Shaum's Outline has always been a loyal friend. I highly recommend Standard Deviant's Differential Equations. Its highly informative and entertaining. I got it on vhs at Border's Bookstore.

I also recommend The Handbook Of Differential Equations by Zwellinger. This book contains every technique to solving diff eq known to man.
 
Yep, I already have Schaum's Outline. But I might need another book to cover partial differential equations (PDE's).
 
For PDE two books come to mind:

Solutions to Partial Differential Equations, by Duffy

Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers by Fairly

Those books are absolutely lovely!

The first book was written by an Naval Officer for cadets so the book is pretty straightforward.

The second book is my first choice. The author walks through the math models the PDE are based on. It even has a crossword puzzle on PDE.

Good Luck.
 
Last edited:
The Schaums outline: Fourier Analysis does a halfway decent job of PDE's and introduces special functions.

dt
 
The author of the book with the PDE Crossword Puzzle is not Fairly: it is
S.J.Farlow "PDE for Scientists & Engineers": Wiley
isbn 0-471-89180-0
(13 Across: "The equation utt = uxx is commonly called the ___ equation")
 
The 7th edition of "Elementary Differential Equations" by Boyce and DiPrima is an excellent book, each section has atleast several examples and good proofs and every answer (yes, including the evens) are included in the back of the book.
 
  • #10
The author of the book with the PDE Crossword Puzzle is not Fairly: it is

I stand corrected. :smile: I was drawing from memory when the well was dry. I have an edition published by Dover.
 

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