Arnol'd's ODE book distinguishes itself from the dozens of others by its emphasis on the qualitative and geometric theory rather than the quantitative theory. His aim is to analyze and describe the behavior of systems, rather than providing a collection of unexplained tricks for solving specific equations. Thus, there are plenty of examples and figures, but no complicated formulas. Arnol'd is known by mathematicians and students both for his mathematical skills and for his talent for mathematical writing.

Furthers the understanding of ODEs by using a geometrical interpretation Excellent for physics students, too One of the best textbooks of all times

Klappentext

The first two chapters of this book have been thoroughly revised and sig­ nificantly expanded. Sections have been added on elementary methods of in­ tegration (on homogeneous and inhomogeneous first-order linear equations and on homogeneous and quasi-homogeneous equations), on first-order linear and quasi-linear partial differential equations, on equations not solved for the derivative, and on Sturm's theorems on the zeros of second-order linear equa­ tions. Thus the new edition contains all the questions of the current syllabus in the theory of ordinary differential equations. In discussing special devices for integration the author has tried through­ out to lay bare the geometric essence of the methods being studied and to show how these methods work in applications, especially in mechanics. Thus to solve an inhomogeneous linear equation we introduce the delta-function and calculate the retarded Green's function; quasi-homogeneous equations lead to the theory of similarity and the law of universal gravitation, while the theorem on differentiability of the solution with respect to the initial conditions leads to the study of the relative motion of celestial bodies in neighboring orbits. The author has permitted himself to include some historical digressions in this preface. Differential equations were invented by Newton (1642-1727).

Zusammenfassung

"Professor Arnold has expanded his classic book to include new material on exponential growth, predator-prey, the pendulum, impulse response, symmetry groups and group actions, perturbation and bifurcation ... . The new edition is highly recommended as a general reference for the essential theory of ordinary differential equations and as a textbook for an introductory course for serious undergraduate or graduate students. ... In the US system, it is an excellent text for an introductory graduate course." (Carmen Chicone, SIAM Review, Vol. 49 (2), 2007)

"Vladimir Arnold's is a master, not just of the technical realm of differential equations but of pedagogy and exposition as well. ... The writing throughout is crisp and clear. ... Arnold's says that the book is based on a year-long sequence of lectures for second-year mathematics majors in Moscow. In the U.S., this material is probably most appropriate for advanced undergraduates or first-year graduate students." (William J. Satzer, MathDL, August, 2007)

Inhalt
Basic Concepts.- Basic Theorems.- Linear Systems.- Proofs of the Main Theorems.- Differential Equations on Manifolds.