Scientific computing with \(Mathematica\). Mathematical problems for ordinary differential equations. Incl. 1 CD-ROM (Q5943420)

One of the first textbooks on ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that included computer software as an integral part of the text was that of \textit{H. Koçak} [Differential and difference equations theory Computer experiments. 2nd ed. (1986; Zbl 0583.34001)]. This book also provided the full software for the purpose. The book under review also deals with ODEs. The emphasis is on close interaction of the theory with the \textit{Mathematica} software package which provides both the tools for visualization and the algorithms for numerical approximation of the solutions of ODE systems. This way the reader will gain understanding of the qualitative behavior of solutions without having to spend time on technical details. The book is mainly intended to applied mathematicians, engineers and scientists interested in ODEs. The main idea of the book is to present numerous examples which are discussed and solved with the ODE.m \textit{Mathematica} software that is available on the CD-ROM. For each example, also some \textit{Mathematica} output is given. This output may include the analytical solution, solution curves graphed with \textit{Mathematica}, and/or warning messages when the intended method is not applicable. The examples are carefully chosen from applications to dynamics, mechanics, and related topics. The CD-ROM contains \textit{Mathematica} notebooks, one for each chapter of the book, and all the example programs of the book. In my experience the notebooks work very well and with minimal input from the user. The user of the notebooks does not need to have previous experience with \textit{Mathematica}, a click of the mouse will activate the desired part of the notebook and produce the desired output. It is a bit sad that this ample collection of interesting examples is tied so tightly with a commercial software package, which many academic institutions cannot afford to buy. It would add to the value of this book if there also existed a software support package based on some public domain software. Reviewer's remarks: An extensive collection of solvable differential equations may be found in the books by \textit{D. Zwillinger} [Handbook of differential equations, 3rd ed. (1998; Zbl 0912.34001)] and by \textit{E. Kamke} [Differentialgleichungen. Lösungsmethoden und Lösungen. I. Gewöhnliche Differentialgleichungen, 9. ed. (1977; Zbl 0354.34001)].