Learn how to use linear algebra and MATLAB to solve large systems of differential equations. Differential equations are the mathematical language we use to describe the world around us. Most phenomena can be modeled not by single differential equations, but by systems of interacting differential equations. These systems may consist of many equations. In this course, we will learn how to use linear algebra to solve systems of more than 2 differential equations. We will also learn to use MATLAB to assist us.
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We will use systems of equations and matrices to explore:
- The original page ranking systems used by Google,
- Balancing chemical reaction equations,
- Tuned mass dampers and other coupled oscillators,
- Threeor more species competing for resources in an ecosystem,
- The trajectory of a rider on a zipline.
This course is part of the 18.03x Differential Equations XSeries.
What you'll learn
After this course, you will be able to
- Model and solve different real world phenomena with systems of differential equations.
- Find the dimension and a basis for a (finite dimensional) vector space.
- Formulate and solve eigenvalue and eigenvector problems.
- Use MATLAB to explore solutions to large systems of equations.
Prerequisites
18.031x Introduction to Differential Equations (Scalar equations), 18.032x Differential Equations: 2x2 Systems (2x2 first order differential equations)
Syllabus
Unit 1: Linear Algebra
- Solving linear systems: elimination and RREF
- Nullspace, vector space
- Column space, determinants, and inverses
- eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization
Unit 2: Systems of Differential Equations
- Solving homogeneous NxN systems of differential equations
- Matrix exponential and diagonalization
- Decoupling and solving inhomogeneous systems of equations
- Solving nonlinear systems with MATLAB
