Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics Commons^™

A Modeling Scenario For Cooling A Hot Vehicle In Florida, Jared Bunn, Bernadette Mullins, Elizabeth Hale, Jaeyoun Oh

CODEE Journal

This paper presents a group project assigned in a Calculus 2 course that has students work to develop, analyze, and draw conclusions about a modeling scenario for cooling a hot car. Using a modeling-first approach, instructors supported the students in class throughout the beginning of the project, enabling the groups to complete the remainder of the project on their own. Students used parameter estimation to tune their models to provided data: one for windows being up, and one for windows being down. This project provides an example of how modeling can be introduced early in a calculus course, rather than …

Piracy, Terrorism, And The Law: Differential Equations In Hostage Situations, Gabriel Hallevy

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Pirates have taken the crew of an American ship hostage. They promise to release the hostages only if another pirate who is held in an American prison for commission of piracy crimes against American citizens, is released. Should the U.S. government enter into negotiations with them? Should they send armed forces and risk the hostages? Should they release the prisoner immediately and unconditionally? The article models and analyzes possible policies regarding sensitive situations involving hostages and other related risks using differential equations. The solutions are surprisingly simple, but not necessarily intuitive. Our analysis aims to demonstrate how powerful mathematics is …

From Cork To Coasting: A Multi-Stage Ode Model Of Water-Rocket Flight, Viktoria Savatorova, Patryk Kustra, Ethan Dyer, Connor Carlson, Aleksei Talonov

CODEE Journal

Water rockets provide an affordable and engaging context for exploring applications of differential equations. Motivated by outreach activities conducted with undergraduate students, we develop a four-stage mathematical model of vertical water-rocket flight that is suitable for use in an ODE or mathematical modeling course. The model includes the cork-release phase, water-thrust propulsion, air-thrust propulsion with compressible and potentially choked flow, and the final ballistic stage with quadratic drag. While retaining key physical features, the model can be formulated as a system of ordinary differential equations that can be integrated numerically using tools familiar to students. We compare model predictions with …

Understanding Enso Through Mathematical Models, Maria I. Sanchez Muniz

Open Educational Resources

This assignment introduces students to conceptual models of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and guides them through a structured investigation of their physical and mathematical foundations. Students analyze the recharge–oscillator and delayed–oscillator frameworks, explore how differential equations capture ocean–atmosphere interactions, and evaluate parameter-driven changes in oscillatory behavior. A key component of the work is the guided use of generative AI as a research tool: students employ AI models to locate peer-reviewed literature, interrogate model extensions, and refine their understanding of complex mechanisms, while synthesizing all final explanations in their own words. By blending classical climate modeling with modern AI-supported inquiry, …

Stability Criteria For The Generalized El Borhamy-Rashad-Sobhy Equation, Mohamed El-Borhamy Assoc.Prof, Essam Eddin Rashad Prof., Fathi Mousa Dr., Mai Hamouda

Journal of Engineering Research

This article is concerned with the study of stability criteria for one of the generalization form of El Borhamy-Rashad Sobhy equation, which is a linear second-order ordinary differential equation with periodically time varying coefficients. Many engineering applications can be represented by this generalization, for instance, including the modeling of RLC circuit with time varying inductance, resistance and capacitance, and the vibration of a stretched string, whose mass per unit length is periodic, under a periodic motion. An approximate solution is derived by using the Wenhl-Kramers-Brillonin (WKB) approach. A method of constructing Liapunov function is employed to derive extra conditions for …

My Gai Study Partner For Odes, Milena C. Cuellar

Open Educational Resources

My GAI Study Partner for ODEs is a scaffolded sequence of learning activities designed to support students in an Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) course by integrating the use of Generative AI tools—specifically Copilot, a platform accessible to all CUNY students and faculty. The activities are rooted in experiential learning, flipped classroom strategies, and self-directed learning principles. The sequence begins with two preparatory activities that introduce students to the ethical use and foundational concepts of Generative AI, fostering digital literacy and critical reflection. These are followed by a series of main activities—initially structured (Activity 3) and later more flexible …

Time-Marching Quantum Algorithm For Simulation Of Nonlinear Lorenz Dynamics, Efstratios Koukoutsis, George Vahala, Min Soe, Kyriakos Hizanidis, Linda Vahala, Abhay K. Ram

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Simulating nonlinear classical dynamics on a quantum computer is an inherently challenging task due to the linear operator formulation of quantum mechanics. In this work, we provide a systematic approach to alleviate this difficulty by developing an explicit quantum algorithm that implements the time evolution of a second-order time-discretized version of the Lorenz model. The Lorenz model is a celebrated system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations that has been extensively studied in the contexts of climate science, fluid dynamics, and chaos theory. Our algorithm possesses a recursive structure and requires only a linear number of copies of the initial state …

Infusing Quantitative Reasoning Skills Into A Differential Equation Class In An Urban Public Community College, Tanvir Prince

Numeracy

This research centers on implementing Quantitative Reasoning (QR) within a differential equations course at an urban public community college. As a participant in the Numeracy Infusion for College Educators (NICE) faculty development program, I sought to integrate QR skills into my curriculum. Students in the course were introduced to QR goals using real-world data sets, particularly those related to population growth, which aim to enhance their understanding, sharpen their problem-solving abilities, and cultivate a positive perspective on the real-world relevance of mathematics. Preliminary findings indicate varied levels of QR skill development among students. These results underscore the potential benefits of …

Mathematical Modeling Of Phage-Bacteria Population Dynamics, John Lawrence D. Palacios

Theses and Dissertations

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria. Lytic phages cause the bacterial cell to burst, killing the bacteria. These types of phages can be used to treat patients with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. As a step in developing successful treatment protocols, we aim to understand the population dynamics of phages and bacteria using an in vitro model. We model the dynamics using the Campbell model, which consists of a delay differential equation (DDE), as a base model. We extended the model by including the emergence of phage resistance. We then compared the DDE model with a parallel ordinary differential …

Using Differential Equations To Model A Cockatoo On A Spinning Wheel As Part Of The Scudem V Modeling Challenge, Miles Pophal, Chenming Zhen, Henry Bae

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

For the SCUDEM V 2020 virtual challenge, we received an outstanding distinction for modeling a bird perched on a bicycle wheel utilizing the appropriate physical equations of rotational motion. Our model includes both theoretical calculations and numerical results from applying the Heaviside function for the swing motion of the bird. We provide a discussion on: our model and its numerical results, the overall limitations and future work of the model we constructed, and the experience we had participating in SCUDEM V 2020.

Hepatitis B And D: A Forecast On Actions Needed To Reduce Incidence And Achieve Elimination, Scott Greenhalgh, Andrew Klug

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Viral hepatitis negatively affects the health of millions, with the worst health outcomes associated with the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Fortunately, HDV is rare and requires prior infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) before it can establish infection and transmit. Here, we develop a mathematical model of HBV and HDV transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa to investigate the effects of hepatitis B vaccination on both HBV and HDV. Our findings illustrate a hepatitis B vaccination rate above 0.006 year^-1 reduces hepatitis D by over 90%, and a vaccination rate above 0.0221 year^-1 reduces hepatitis B by over 90%, …

Predicting Box Office Revenues Using Differential Equation Models, Brenden David

Mathematics Senior Capstone Papers

The growing popularity of the internet has increased exponentially in the past few decades. This sudden increase in popularity allows for users to gain access to more information than was thought possible in the past, including access to box-office movie revenues of previously released movies. Since we now have access to thousands of movie’s box office revenues, we can analyze some sort of trend within specific genres of movies. With these trends we develop a differential equations model that will predict the box office revenues of a movie that is in its early stages of the box office. This model …

Mathematical Modeling Of A Variable Mass Rocket’S Dynamics Using The Differential Transform Method, Ashwyn Sam

Honors Theses

In this paper, the mathematical modelling of a rocket with varying mass is investigated to construct a function that can describe the velocity and position of the rocket as a function of time. This research is geared more towards small scale rockets where the nonlinear drag term is of great interest to the underlying dynamics of the rocket. A simple force balance on the rocket using Newton’s second law of motion yields a Riccati differential equation for which the solution yields the velocity of the rocket at any given time. This solution can then be integrated with respect to time …

Using Differential Equations To Model Predator-Prey Relations As Part Of Scudem Modeling Challenge, Zachary Fralish, Bernard Tyson Iii, Anthony Stefan

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

Differential equation modeling challenges provide students with an opportunity to improve their mathematical capabilities, critical thinking skills, and communication abilities through researching and presenting on a differential equations model. This article functions to display an archetype summary of an undergraduate student team’s response to a provided prompt. Specifically, the provided mathematical model estimates how certain stimuli from a predator are accumulated to trigger a neural response in a prey. Furthermore, it tracks the propagation of the resultant action potential and the physical flight of the prey from the predator through the analysis of larval zebrafish as a model organism. This …

Dynamical Modeling In Cell Biology With Ordinary Differential Equations, Renee Marie Dale

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Dynamical systems have been of interest to biologists and mathematicians alike. Many processes in biology lend themselves to dynamical study. Movement, change, and response to stimuli are dynamical characteristics that define what is 'alive'. A scientific relationship between these two fields is therefore natural. In this thesis, I describe how my PhD research variously related to biological, mathematical, and computational problems in cell biology. In chapter 1 I introduce some of the current problems in the field. In chapter 2, my mathematical model of firefly luciferase in vivo shows the importance of dynamical models to understand systems. Data originally collected …

On The Complexity Of Computing Galois Groups Of Differential Equations, Mengxiao Sun

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The differential Galois group is an analogue for a linear differential equation of the classical Galois group for a polynomial equation. An important application of the differential Galois group is that a linear differential equation can be solved by integrals, exponentials and algebraic functions if and only if the connected component of its differential Galois group is solvable. Computing the differential Galois groups would help us determine the existence of the solutions expressed in terms of elementary functions (integrals, exponentials and algebraic functions) and understand the algebraic relations among the solutions.

Hrushovski first proposed an algorithm for computing the differential …

Sir Models: Differential Equations That Support The Common Good, Lorelei Koss

CODEE Journal

This article surveys how SIR models have been extended beyond investigations of biologically infectious diseases to other topics that contribute to social inequality and environmental concerns. We present models that have been used to study sustainable agriculture, drug and alcohol use, the spread of violent ideologies on the internet, criminal activity, and health issues such as bulimia and obesity.

Galois Groups Of Differential Equations And Representing Algebraic Sets, Eli Amzallag

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The algebraic framework for capturing properties of solution sets of differential equations was formally introduced by Ritt and Kolchin. As a parallel to the classical Galois groups of polynomial equations, they devised the notion of a differential Galois group for a linear differential equation. Just as solvability of a polynomial equation by radicals is linked to the equation’s Galois group, so too is the ability to express the solution to a linear differential equation in "closed form" linked to the equation’s differential Galois group. It is thus useful even outside of mathematics to be able to compute and represent these …

Theoretical Analysis Of Nonlinear Differential Equations, Emily Jean Weymier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nonlinear differential equations arise as mathematical models of various phenomena. Here, various methods of solving and approximating linear and nonlinear differential equations are examined. Since analytical solutions to nonlinear differential equations are rare and difficult to determine, approximation methods have been developed. Initial and boundary value problems will be discussed. Several linear and nonlinear techniques to approximate or solve the linear or nonlinear problems are demonstrated. Regular and singular perturbation theory and Magnus expansions are our particular focus. Each section offers several examples to show how each technique is implemented along with the use of visuals to demonstrate the accuracy, …

Modeling Public Opinion, Arden Baxter

Honors Program Theses

The population dynamics of public opinion have many similarities to those of epidemics. For example, models of epidemics and public opinion share characteristics like contact rates, incubation times, and recruitment rates. Generally, epidemic dynamics have been presented through epidemiological models. In this paper we adapt an epidemiological model to demonstrate the population dynamics of public opinion given two opposing viewpoints. We find equilibrium solutions for various cases of the system and examine the local stability. Overall, our system provides sociological insight on the spread and transition of a public opinion.

Parts Of The Whole: Why I Teach This Subject This Way, Dorothy Wallace

Numeracy

The importance of mathematics to biology is illustrated by search data from Google Scholar. I argue that a pedagogical approach based on student research projects is likely to improve retention and foster critical thinking about mathematical modeling, as well as reinforce quantitative reasoning and the appreciation of calculus as a tool. The usual features of a course (e.g., the instructor, assessment, text, etc.) are shown to have very different purposes in a research-based course.

Steady And Stable: Numerical Investigations Of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations, R. Corban Harwood

Faculty Publications - Department of Mathematics

Excerpt: "Mathematics is a language which can describe patterns in everyday life as well as abstract concepts existing only in our minds. Patterns exist in data, functions, and sets constructed around a common theme, but the most tangible patterns are visual. Visual demonstrations can help undergraduate students connect to abstract concepts in advanced mathematical courses. The study of partial differential equations, in particular, benefits from numerical analysis and simulation."

Dynamics Of Gene Networks In Cancer Research, Paul Scott

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Cancer prevention treatments are being researched to see if an optimized treatment schedule would decrease the likelihood of a person being diagnosed with cancer. To do this we are looking at genes involved in the cell cycle and how they interact with one another. Through each gene expression during the life of a normal cell we get an understanding of the gene interactions and test these against those of a cancerous cell. First we construct a simplified network model of the normal gene network. Once we have this model we translate it into a transition matrix and force changes on …

Complex Solutions Of The Time Fractional Gross-Pitaevskii (Gp) Equation With External Potential By Using A Reliable Method, Nasir Taghizadeh, Mona N. Foumani

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this article, modified (G'/G )-expansion method is presented to establish the exact complex solutions of the time fractional Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation in the sense of the conformable fractional derivative. This method is an effective method in finding exact traveling wave solutions of nonlinear evolution equations (NLEEs) in mathematical physics. The present approach has the potential to be applied to other nonlinear fractional differential equations. Based on two transformations, fractional GP equation can be converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equation of integer orders. In the end, we will discuss the solutions of the fractional GP equation with external potentials.

Newton's Law Of Cooling, Caleb J. Emmons

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

A poem reflecting three different viewpoints on Newton's Law of Cooling.

Use Of Cubic B-Spline In Approximating Solutions Of Boundary Value Problems, Maria Munguia, Dambaru Bhatta

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Here we investigate the use of cubic B-spline functions in solving boundary value problems. First, we derive the linear, quadratic, and cubic B-spline functions. Then we use the cubic B-spline functions to solve second order linear boundary value problems. We consider constant coefficient and variable coefficient cases with non-homogeneous boundary conditions for ordinary differential equations. We also use this numerical method for the space variable to obtain solutions for second order linear partial differential equations. Numerical results for various cases are presented and compared with exact solutions.

A Comparison Of Obesity Interventions Using Energy Balance Models, Marcella Torres

Theses and Dissertations

An energy balance model of human metabolism developed by Hall et al. is extended to compare body composition outcomes among standard and proposed obesity interventions. Standard interventions include a drastic diet or a drastic diet with endurance training. Outcomes for these interventions are typically poor in clinical studies. Proposed interventions include a gradual diet and the addition of resistance training to preserve lean mass and metabolic rate. We see that resistance training, regardless of dietary strategy, achieves these goals. Finally, we observe that the optimal obesity intervention for continued maintenance of a healthy body composition following a diet includes a …

Mathematical Equations And System Identification Models For A Portable Pneumatic Bladder System Designed To Reduce Human Exposure To Whole Body Shock And Vibration, Ezzat Aziz Ayyad

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A mathematical representation is sought to model the behavior of a portable pneumatic foam bladder designed to mitigate the effects of human exposure to shock and whole body random vibration. Fluid Dynamics principles are used to derive the analytic differential equations used for the physical equations Model. Additionally, combination of Wiener and Hammerstein block oriented representation techniques have been selected to create system identification (SID) block oriented models. A number of algorithms have been iterated to obtain numerical solutions for the system of equations which was found to be coupled and non-linear, with no analytic closed form solution. The purpose …

On The Evolution Of Virulence, Thi Nguyen

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The goal of this thesis is to study the dynamics behind the evolution of virulence. We examine first the underlying mechanics of linear systems of ordinary differential equations by investigating the classification of fixed points in these systems, then applying these techniques to nonlinear systems. We then seek to establish the validity of a system that models the population dynamics of uninfected and infected hosts---first with one parasite strain, then n strains. We define the basic reproductive ratio of a parasite, and study its relationship to the evolution of virulence. Lastly, we investigate the mathematics behind superinfection.

Periodic Solutions And Positive Solutions Of First And Second Order Logistic Type Odes With Harvesting, Cody Alan Palmer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

It was recently shown that the nonlinear logistic type ODE with periodic harvesting has a bifurcation on the periodic solutions with respect to the parameter ε:

u' = f (u) - ε h (t).

Namely, there exists an ε0 such that for 0 < ε < ε0 there are two periodic solutions, for ε = ε0 there is one periodic solution, and for ε >ε0 there are no periodic solutions, provided that....

In this paper we look at some numerical evidence regarding the behavior of this threshold for various types of harvesting terms, in particular we find evidence in the negative or a conjecture regarding the behavior of this threshold value.

Additionally, we look at analagous steady states for the reaction-diusion …