4.1 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs)
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Practice Questions
Test your understanding with targeted questions
Define what an ordinary differential equation (ODE) is.
💡 Hint: Think about the equations that involve derivatives.
What is an initial value problem (IVP)?
💡 Hint: What do we need to specify to begin solving an ODE?
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Interactive Quizzes
Quick quizzes to reinforce your learning
What is an ordinary differential equation (ODE)?
💡 Hint: Remember the definition of ODE—think about the derivatives!
True or False: Numerical methods are only useful if an analytical solution exists.
💡 Hint: Consider the purpose of numerical methods.
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Challenge Problems
Push your limits with advanced challenges
Consider the ODE dy/dt = y with the initial condition y(0) = 2. Use Euler’s method with a step size of 0.5 to approximate y at t = 1.
💡 Hint: Remember to take small steps and adjust for each calculated slope.
Using the initial value problem dy/dt = -2y with y(0) = 1, outline why a numerical method may be preferred for large time intervals.
💡 Hint: Think about the characteristics of the differential equation and its behavior over time.
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