
Subject content Mathematics: Differential Equations

Subject content Further Mathematics: Differential Equations
The study of Differential Equations is part of the prescribed core content of A Level further mathematics; this prescribed core comprising approximately 50% of each examination board’s content.
There are some very useful resources on this subject, particularly needed for further mathematics, where for many teachers they will be teaching content new on the specification.
Teaching the MEI OCR specification, I do find the Delivery Guides and Check in tests useful, these provide both teaching guidance and example questions.
On Dr Frost’s excellent site you will find resources on Differential Equations, see Chapter 11, Integration for Mathematics and Chapters 7 and 8 on Further Mathematics.
We can use a little technology to check solutions to Differential Equations using WolframAlpha. The slides here illustrate the syntax for first and second order differential equations. Examples like this and more are available from WolframAlpha: Examples for Differential Equations.
Differential Equations on Slideshare.
On the subject of Technology, we can have a look at Edexcel’s helpful guide with links to numerous GeoGebra files: A Guide to using GeoGebra when teaching AS and A Level Mathematics.which includes Solving Differential Equations.
Notes and examples on Differential Equations.
- CIMT Section 18.5 on First Order Differential Equations
- Units 15.1 to 15.10 from AJ Hobson’s Just the Maths (individual pdf files hosted by UEA) (or a complete pdf from the Math Centre: AJ Hobson’s ‘Just the Maths’) are all on Differential Equations.
- mathcentre: Differential Equations Resources
mathcentre: First Order Differential Equations
mathcentre Second Order Differential Equations - A series of notes from the Helm Project. The complete set is hosted by the Open University. To access the Open University resources you will need to create an account (easy and free), this will also give you access to the numerous free online courses.
Helm Notes – First order ODEs