Ronald E. Mickens

Introduction to Qualitative Methods for Differential Equations provides an alternative approach to teaching and understanding differential equations. The basic methodology of the book is centred on finding reformulations of differential equations in such a manner that they become (partially, at least) problems in geometry. Through this approach, the book distils the critical aspects of the qualitative theory of differential equations and illustrates their application to a number of nontrivial problems.FeaturesSelf-contained with suggestions for further readingConcise and approachable exposition with only minimal pre-requisitesIdeal for self-studyAppropriate for undergraduate mathematicians, engineers, and other quantitative science students.

Introduction to Qualitative Methods for Differential Equations provides an alternative approach to teaching and understanding differential equations. The basic methodology of the book is centred on finding reformulations of differential equations in such a manner that they become (partially, at least) problems in geometry. Through this approach, the book distils the critical aspects of the qualitative theory of differential equations and illustrates their application to a number of nontrivial problems.FeaturesSelf-contained with suggestions for further readingConcise and approachable exposition with only minimal pre-requisitesIdeal for self-studyAppropriate for undergraduate mathematicians, engineers, and other quantitative science students.

Mathematical Modelling with Differential Equations aims to introduce various strategies for modelling systems using differential equations. Some of these methodologies are elementary and quite direct to comprehend and apply while others are complex in nature and require thoughtful, deep contemplation. Many topics discussed in the chapter do not appear in any of the standard textbooks and this provides users an opportunity to consider a more general set of interesting systems that can be modelled. For example, the book investigates the evolution of a "toy universe," discusses why "alternate futures" exists in classical physics, constructs approximate solutions to the famous Thomas—Fermi equation using only algebra and elementary calculus, and examines the importance of "truly nonlinear" and oscillating systems. Features Introduces, defines, and illustrates the concept of "dynamic consistency" as the foundation of modelling.Can be used as the basis of an upper-level undergraduate course on general procedures for mathematical modelling using differential equations.Discusses the issue of dimensional analysis and continually demonstrates its value for both the construction and analysis of mathematical modelling.

Mathematical Modelling with Differential Equations aims to introduce various strategies for modelling systems using differential equations. Some of these methodologies are elementary and quite direct to comprehend and apply while others are complex in nature and require thoughtful, deep contemplation. Many topics discussed in the chapter do not appear in any of the standard textbooks and this provides users an opportunity to consider a more general set of interesting systems that can be modelled. For example, the book investigates the evolution of a "toy universe," discusses why "alternate futures" exists in classical physics, constructs approximate solutions to the famous Thomas—Fermi equation using only algebra and elementary calculus, and examines the importance of "truly nonlinear" and oscillating systems. Features Introduces, defines, and illustrates the concept of "dynamic consistency" as the foundation of modelling.Can be used as the basis of an upper-level undergraduate course on general procedures for mathematical modelling using differential equations.Discusses the issue of dimensional analysis and continually demonstrates its value for both the construction and analysis of mathematical modelling.

This second edition of Nonstandard Finite Difference Models of Differential Equations provides an update on the progress made in both the theory and application of the NSFD methodology during the past two and a half decades. In addition to discussing details related to the determination of the denominator functions and the nonlocal discrete representations of functions of dependent variables, we include many examples illustrating just how this should be done.Of real value to the reader is the inclusion of a chapter listing many exact difference schemes, and a chapter giving NSFD schemes from the research literature. The book emphasizes the critical roles played by the 'principle of dynamic consistency' and the use of sub-equations for the construction of valid NSFD discretizations of differential equations.

Generalized Trigonometric and Hyperbolic Functions highlights, to those in the area of generalized trigonometric functions, an alternative path to the creation and analysis of these classes of functions. Previous efforts have started with integral representations for the inverse generalized sine functions, followed by the construction of the associated cosine functions, and from this, various properties of the generalized trigonometric functions are derived. However, the results contained in this book are based on the application of both geometrical phase space and dynamical systems methodologies.Features Clear, direct construction of a new set of generalized trigonometric and hyperbolic functions Presentation of why x2+y2 = 1, and related expressions, may be interpreted in three distinct ways All the constructions, proofs, and derivations can be readily followed and understood by students, researchers, and professionals in the natural and mathematical sciences

Difference Equations: Theory, Applications and Advanced Topics, Third Edition provides a broad introduction to the mathematics of difference equations and some of their applications. Many worked examples illustrate how to calculate both exact and approximate solutions to special classes of difference equations. Along with adding several advanced topics, this edition continues to cover general, linear, first-, second-, and n-th order difference equations; nonlinear equations that may be reduced to linear equations; and partial difference equations.New to the Third Edition New chapter on special topics, including discrete Cauchy–Euler equations; gamma, beta, and digamma functions; Lambert W-function; Euler polynomials; functional equations; and exact discretizations of differential equationsNew chapter on the application of difference equations to complex problems arising in the mathematical modeling of phenomena in engineering and the natural and social sciences Additional problems in all chaptersExpanded bibliography to include recently published texts related to the subject of difference equationsSuitable for self-study or as the main text for courses on difference equations, this book helps readers understand the fundamental concepts and procedures of difference equations. It uses an informal presentation style, avoiding the minutia of detailed proofs and formal explanations.

This second edition provides a broad range of methods and concepts required for the analysis and solution of equations which arise in the modeling of phenomena in the natural, engineering, and applied mathematical sciences. It may be used productively by both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as others who wish to learn, understand, and apply these techniques. Detailed discussions are also given for several topics that are not usually included in standard textbooks at this level of presentation: qualitative methods for differential equations, dimensionalization and scaling, elements of asymptotics, difference equations and several perturbation procedures. Further, this second edition includes several new topics covering functional equations, the Lambert-W function, nonstandard sets of periodic functions, and the method of dominant balance. Each chapter contains a large number of worked examples and provides references to the appropriate books and literature.

Difference Equations: Theory, Applications and Advanced Topics, Third Edition provides a broad introduction to the mathematics of difference equations and some of their applications. Many worked examples illustrate how to calculate both exact and approximate solutions to special classes of difference equations. Along with adding several advanced topics, this edition continues to cover general, linear, first-, second-, and n-th order difference equations; nonlinear equations that may be reduced to linear equations; and partial difference equations.New to the Third Edition New chapter on special topics, including discrete Cauchy–Euler equations; gamma, beta, and digamma functions; Lambert W-function; Euler polynomials; functional equations; and exact discretizations of differential equationsNew chapter on the application of difference equations to complex problems arising in the mathematical modeling of phenomena in engineering and the natural and social sciences Additional problems in all chaptersExpanded bibliography to include recently published texts related to the subject of difference equationsSuitable for self-study or as the main text for courses on difference equations, this book helps readers understand the fundamental concepts and procedures of difference equations. It uses an informal presentation style, avoiding the minutia of detailed proofs and formal explanations.

This unique book provides a concise presentation of many of the fundamental strategies for calculating approximations to the oscillatory solutions of “truly nonlinear” (TNL) oscillator equations. The volume gives a general overview of the author's work on harmonic balance, iteration and combined linearization-averaging methods. However, full discussions are also presented on parameter expansion procedures and a first-order averaging technique for TNL oscillators. The calculational basis of each method is clarified by applying them to a set of standard TNL oscillator equations. This allows a direct comparison to be made among the various methods.The book is self-contained and therefore suitable for both classroom use and self-study by students and professionals who desire to learn, understand, and apply these technique to the field of nonlinear oscillations.

This volume provides a concise introduction to the methodology of nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) schemes construction and shows how they can be applied to the numerical integration of differential equations occurring in the natural, biomedical, and engineering sciences. These methods had their genesis in the work of Mickens in the 1990's and are now beginning to be widely studied and applied by other researchers. The importance of the book derives from its clear and direct explanation of NSFD in the introductory chapter along with a broad discussion of the future directions needed to advance the topic.

This book provides a variety of methods required for the analysis and solution of equations which arise in the modeling of phenomena from the natural and engineering sciences. It can be used productively by both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as others who need to learn and understand these techniques. A detailed discussion is also presented for several topics that are usually not included in standard textbooks at this level: qualitative methods for differential equations, dimensionalization and scaling, elements of asymptotics, difference equations, and various perturbation methods. Each chapter contains a large number of worked examples and provides references to the appropriate literature.