Go from calculus 2 into differential equations?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Should I go from calculus 2 into differential equations as a freshman? Calc 3 isn't offered in the spring semester so the next classes offered are linear algebra or differential equations. So my schedule for next semester is bellow. My physics teacher doesn't teach in a simple matter, so I know I'll have to self teach myself there to a good point. That will take up a good amount of my time next semester, so would it be smart to take differential equations after finishing calc 2.</p>

<p>Linear Algebra
Differential equations
Physics 2
Physics 2 lab
Writing
Spanish 200</p>

2

<p>Yeah you can do that, I did.</p>

3

<p>diffeq is surprisingly a lot of algebraic manipulations. you get a set of n-order differential equations and you can model them as an n-order characteristic equation, which you can solve for with algebra. I remember we even spent a small portion on partial fraction expansion.</p>

<p>at the end, laplace transforms are difficult at first the way math departments choose to teach it, but the application actually makes things incredibly simple</p>

<p>however I did it every day for 5 weeks during the summer.</p>

4

<p>I think that is a good idea. You will use series and partial fractions a plenty. The only calc 3 application I saw pop up was the partial derivative, which is easy. Also, as it has been said, plenty of algebraic manipulation.</p>

<p>I have to take my final for Diff EQ tonight, so off to study I go!</p>

5

<p>I took Diff Eq before Calc 3… it really doesn’t make a difference. You’ll be fine.</p>

6

<p>I took Diffeq along side Calc 3, even though Calc 3 is normally a prerequesite. </p>

<p>The only major thing I can remember that you need in diffeq that’s taught in Calc 3 is partial derivatives and partial integrations.</p>

7

<p>As long as you meet the prereqs, you can do whatever you want.</p>

8

<p>I would do calc 2 –> linear algebra–> calc 3 –> diff eq. That’s just me though</p>

9

<p>IMO you should be ok.</p>

<p>I am currently a senior in high school and I’m taking Calc 3 and Ordinary Differential Equations as part of a dual credit program my high school does with the local community college. 1st semester is calc 3 and 2nd is differential equations.</p>

<p>Even though we are about a month away from 2nd semester, from what our teacher has told us (and from what I’ve seen skimming through the textbook) the two courses have completely different material. For the most part at least.</p>

<p>Someone else mentioned partial derivation and integration being needed, both of which you learn in calc 3. However if you are doing well in calc 2 you’ll find these two topics pretty easy to grasp. </p>

<p>I’ll avoid going off on a tangent here and just say that they are extremely similar to regular derivation and integration (especially if your instructor lets you use a TI-89).</p>