Dynamical Systems Notes

I prepared notes for a course on dynamical systems that I taught at Binghamton for Sophomore/Junior Math majors in Spring and Fall, 2009. The idea was to present the material geometrically, based on examples, but with an introduction to the theory. I used Maple extensively, and included a number of Maple-based exercises.

I was not happy with version 0.1 (Spring 2009), so I rewrote large portions of the notes for version 0.2 (Fall 2009). Some material from 0.1 did not find its way into 0.2, so I am providing both versions. I am still not very happy with version 0.2. This is at most a rough draft, and there are a number of mistakes, some half-truths, and perhaps a few lies. It is very uneven, and if I teach the course again I will probably rewrite most of it again.

You may download and reproduce either version (see the copyright notice on the first page). Probably version 0.2 is more useful. Please send me any corrections and/or suggestions.

There are also a few sample Maple worksheets that are annotated in the notes. These may be freely copied and modified.

• Version 0.1 (149 pages), Spring 2009.
  There is one Maple worksheet:
  • The DEtools example, version 1, as discussed in Appendix B.3.
• Version 0.2 (180 pages), Fall 2009.
  There are two Maple worksheets:
  • Linear algebra: This is discussed in Appendix B.2.
  • The DEtools example, version 2, as discussed in Appendix B.3.
  (These two worksheets were saved without output. To see the output, position your cursor on each line in turn and hit the ENTER key. Alternatively, hit the "!!!" button at the top of the main display.)