Introduction to Differential Equations

Summary

The following questions cover the major conceptual points of this module. They should provide a check on your understanding. Also, you can use these questions to test whether working through this module would provide the information you want.

1. What is a first-order differential equation?

2. What is an initial value problem?

3. What is a solution of a differential equation?

4. What is the solution of an initial value problem?

5. What is a slope field? Could you draw one by hand? (Assume you have a scientific calculator without graphics capability.)

6. What is the fundamental idea behind Euler's Method?

7. Summarize the steps in finding a symbolic description of the solutions of a separable differential equation.