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Differential Equations: 2x2 Systems | MITx on edX

2,250 views · Published 12 October 2017 · 1:50 · Indexed 12 November 2026

Channel: edX · 2017 · People & Blogs

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In order to understand most phenomena in the world, we need to understand not just single equations, but systems of differential equations. In this course, we start with 2x2 systems.

Differential equations are the language of the models we use to describe the world around us. Most phenomena require not a single differential equation, but a system of coupled differential equations. In this course, we will develop the mathematical toolset needed to understand 2x2 systems of first order linear and nonlinear differential equations. We will use 2x2 systems and matrices to model:

predator-prey populations in an ecosystem,
competition for tourism between two states,
the temperature profile of a soft boiling egg,
automobile suspensions for a smooth ride,
pendulums, and
RLC circuits that tune to specific frequencies.

What You'll Learn
How to model real world problems by 2x2 systems of differential equations
How to use matrix methods to solve homogeneous systems of 2 first order linear differential equations
How to use graphical methods to understand the qualitative behavior of linear and nonlinear systems, and how to apply linear approximation to nonlinear (autonomous) 2x2 systems

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