This new work is an introduction to the numerical solution of the initial value problem for a system of ordinary differential equations. The first three chapters are general in nature, and chapters 4 through 8 derive the basic numerical methods, prove their convergence, study their stability and consider how to implement them effectively. The book focuses on the most important methods in practice and develops them fully, uses examples throughout, and emphasizes practical problem-solving methods.

This book is a text for a one-semester course for upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduate students in engineering, science, and mathematics. Prerequisites are a first course in the theory of ODEs and a survey course in numerical analysis, in addition to specific programming experience, preferably in MATLAB, and knowledge of elementary matrix theory. Professionals will also find that this useful concise reference contains reviews of technical issues and realistic and detailed examples. The programs for the examples are supplied on the accompanying web site and can serve as templates...