The computer as a teaching tool in ordinary differential equations

AbstractThe availability of microcomputers and software makes it feasible to solve differential equations via numerical methods. It is important for students to learn this approach because real-world problems seldom give rise to equations solvable in closed form. Run-times and accuracy are compared for Euler and improved Euler algorithms applied to first order equations. Higher order equations are reduced to systems of first order equations. Runge-Kutta and predictor-corrector methods are discussed briefly