[Math] Good/Economical textbook for undergraduate intro to diff.eq. for engineers

differential equationsmathematics-education

In the fall I will be teaching an intro to diff.eq.s course for undergrad engineers. The usual textbook is $150 with solution manual and it's not that great. There must be a cheaper alternative that's just as good. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best Answer

I cut my teeth on an 80's version of Differential Equations and Their Applications: An Introduction to Applied Mathematics by Martin Braun . Amazon lists copies as going for under $50. Perhaps someone from this millenium can say if the new editions are still good. I liked the anecdote about the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and found many of his examples well motivated.

Gerhard "Ask Me About System Design" Paseman, 2010.04.15