The TI-86 includes a differential equation graphing mode that allows students to augment traditional analytic solutions to differential equations with graphic and numeric solutions. We believe these graphic and numeric solutions will greatly enhance student understanding. Students can also use this graphing mode to model real-life problems and solve differential equations that would be very difficult to solve using only analytic methods. This technology provides student access to advanced topics in differential equations at a much earlier stage in the curriculum.

Chapters 1 through 6 of this book show new TI-86 users the technical skills needed to investigate introductory topics in differential equations. Chapters 7 through 10 assume that the reader is familiar with the TI-86. These later chapters show how the TI-86 can be used to investigate more advanced topics. We believe the ideas described in these chapters can enhance both how and what students learn in their study of differential equations.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Recovering a Function From its Derivative: A Graphical Approach
Chapter 2: Recovering a Function From its Derivative: A Numerical Approach
Chapter 3: Higher Order Differential Equations
Chapter 4: Projectile Motion
Chapter 5: Harmonic Motion
Chapter 6: Biological Models with Differential Equations
Chapter 7: Nonlinear Pendulum Problems
Chapter 8: Numerical Methods and Series
Chapter 9: Space Trajectories
Chapter 10: Numerical Methods for Boundary Value Problems
Appendix A: TeacherÕs Notes
Appendix B: References