Math, engineering and physical science majors, how hard is differential equations?

[Bomberman]

About to take this course in the fall in a hybrid Linear Algebra+Differential Equations course.

Did well and understood Calc I and II almost no problem but had some trouble with those surface and vector field integrals at the end of Calc III, but not so much the multi-integrals. We spent ~1 week total on that stuff in the end, no excuse but we breezed by the flux integrals sections.

What do I got to look forward to with the course I'm about to take brehs? What's gotta be sharp?

 

[VerbalIntercourse]

I'm an Econ major, so i dont have a STEM background. I took diff. Equations though.

Differential equations was not that hard at all.

 

[ZEB WALTON]

if your good at math generally and had minor trouble (with proper studying on your part) youll have no problem. i started hitting difficulties in calc 2, and i got through with a B. just study

 

[Bomberman]

I'm an Econ major, so i dont have a STEM background. I took diff. Equations though.

Differential equations was not that hard at all.

Dang forgot to post the Econ majors too, appreciate the reply breh. What text did you guys use?

 

[theworldismine13]

medium hard

the basic concept is that you are dealing with equations where the variables are not letters, the variables are functions, so you have to learn algebra (solving for x) all over again using functions

 

[Bomberman]

medium hard

the basic concept is that you are dealing with equations where the variables are not letters, the variables are functions, so you have to do learn algebra (solving for x) all over again using functions

How was it vs the other courses already taken (I know it's subjective)?

 

[theworldismine13]

How was it vs the other courses already taken (I know it's subjective)?

its just medium hard like i said, its nothing too crazy, i dont actually remember all of it to tell you the truth lol

but you learn about oscillations, the wave equation...thats the main thing i remember

 

[theworldismine13]

i dont think you do any surface and vector integrals, thats more in physics II when you do gauss law in electromagnetics

 

[L&HH]

its not that bad if you study a little, there aren't any surface integrals or vector integrals

 

[BlvdBrawler]

Wasn't too hard.

Calc 2 and Calc 3 were significantly more difficult imho.

 

[Economics]

that's the one with the Annihilator method right or was that linear? Been to long for me, in today's age you can find so many resources online to prep ahead or assit if you feel stuck. If you got through the calc sequence and did linear though, diffy q shouldn't be a problem. Look at mitopencourse and find some old exams/practice questions along with the lectures to get you exposed before you take it if you feel iffy about it. You'll be fine though.

 

[AquaCityBoy]

I had a shytty professor, so I didn't retain too much.

I enjoyed PDEs, though, but the problems are LONG as fukk. It takes 30+ minutes to write down a problem FROM MEMORY.

 

[Serious]

can use khan academy to get a head start

Differential Equations | Khan Academy

There's 60 vids on this subject.

Watch 6 a day, for 10 days straight.......

Average of 10-15 minutes each....

 

[TLR Is Mental Poison]

IIRC it was one of my favorite classes

Finally got to see examples of APPLICATIONS of calc which was key

 

[Black Hans]

I somewhat forgot them, but when I was in school I don't remember them being impossible. I'd say medium.