Drawing Direction Fields for Higher Order ODEs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding resources and methods for drawing direction fields for higher order ordinary differential equations (ODEs), both by hand and using computer algorithms. Participants are seeking references that specifically address higher order ODEs rather than first order cases.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests references for drawing direction fields of higher order ODEs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive materials beyond first order ODEs.
  • Another participant suggests a general search for resources but does not provide specific higher order references.
  • Several links are shared, but they are noted to primarily cover first order ODEs or computerized second order direction fields.
  • A participant discusses the state space formulation of higher order systems, explaining that these can be represented as a system of first order differential equations, which may help in understanding direction fields.
  • Concerns are raised about the challenges of visualizing systems of order greater than two or three dimensions, with a participant noting the difficulty in drawing four-dimensional plots.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that resources for higher order ODEs are limited and that the state space approach is a common method for dealing with such systems. However, there is no consensus on specific methods or algorithms for drawing direction fields by hand or on the computer.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific algorithms for computerized solutions and the challenges associated with visualizing higher dimensional systems. The discussion does not resolve these issues.

hagopbul
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TL;DR
Direction field of higher order differential equation
Hello :

Trying to find references on drawing direction fields of higher order differential equation by hand as 1st step then by computer , do you know any reference I can read ( PDF , books ,...) , and hope it is not only some short notes

Best regards
HB
 
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Have you tried google search yet?

 
Last edited:
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Thank you but this is only first order ode I was looking for higher order ode , and that video clip I already watched
 
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thanks but all the files and the links that you provided only deal with 1st order ode , or computerize second order ode direction field , but what about how to draw direction field for second or higher differential equations by hand ? and for computerized solution what algorithm they are using as it is not clear in the code provided
 
hagopbul said:
thanks but all the files and the links that you provided only deal with 1st order ode , or computerize second order ode direction field , but what about how to draw direction field for second or higher differential equations by hand ? and for computerized solution what algorithm they are using as it is not clear in the code provided
You may want to study a bit about the state space formulation of systems. In this treatment higher order systems are described as a system of first order DE's, so the "order" of the system is expressed in the number of coupled equations. For example, look at the section labeled "Higher Order Systems" in the link I provided.

I'm sure there are people that don't use this structure, but I'm not the person to ask about that. I only have experience with this, most common, formalism. Somehow, you must identify the state of your system to describe what it will do next. This will require a multi-dimensional basis for your field.

Also, there is a problem with drawing much in systems above order 2 or maybe 3. The theory is good in higher dimensions, but I don't know how to draw 4 dimensional plots. Nearly every example you will see is a 1st or 2nd order system.
 

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