Chapter 8. Using Power Series to Solve Ordinary Differential Equations
In This Chapter
Using the ratio test to see whether a series will converge
Practicing your ability to shift the series index
Applying power series to differential equations to find series solutions
A power series is an infinite sum of powers of x, which you can use to solve differential equations that can't be solved in any other way. In this chapter, you practice working with power series to solve ordinary differential equations. (Keep in mind that this chapter focuses on ordinary differential equations; Chapter 9 deals with differential equations with singular points. A singular point is a value [or values] of x where a coefficient in the differential equation goes to infinity. An ordinary differential equation has no singular points.)
Kick things off by practicing the ratio test and shifting the series index. Then put your skills together to solve some equations.
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