Question

Can someone please recommend a good textbook that I can use as a reference alongside this class?

Answer 1

Yes. "Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems" by William E. Boyce and Richard C. DiPrima. That's what I'm using anyway.

Answer 2

thanks so much!

Answer 3

Do you know Bill Gosper's reply to the parallel question for Computer Science?

"The best introductory text in Computer Science is Alice in Wonderland, simply because it is the best introductory text in everything." Given that Bill is one of the primary authors of the brilliant Hakmem, http://w3.pppl.gov/~hammett/work/2009/AIM-239-ocr.pdf , which all budding technologists should read and attempt to contribute to, this is not completely a joke.

Cheers,
-dlj.

Answer 4

Hi David, thanks for your insight but I'm actually an artist primarily and have no problems with my imaginative capacities. I am taking this online class to learn about certain specific concepts that will allow me to better understand the papers I am reading, which will allow me to make better tools for my art. What I needed was a traditional textbook that roughly parallels the specific content of this online course, and Boyce and DiPalma seems to be a good fit and I found a used copy at a local bookstore for $8 and I am satisfied.

Answer 5

Yes, Bill, I know. And, uh, the bit about Alice in Wonderland was a joke. You know, funny-ha-ha?

But I also assumed that you were technically minded, and the click-through to Hakmem was serious. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to go get the URL for you. Fun, but possibly a good bit of your education. Enjoy.

-dlj.