To study the behavior of differential equations using graphical techniques.
This lab begins with a explaination of direction fields of a first order differential equation. Students use a CAS (Computer Algebra System; MathCAD or Maple V) to generate some direction fields and then, given a initial value, they drawn in the 'solution' of the differential equation which passes through that point. They also use the CAS to generate the solution of the initial value problem. Finally, they are compare their 'solution' to the one generated by the CAS and comment on any error.
Return to Differential Equations: Explorations
Through Technology.