MatlabPracticalSolvingDifferentialEquations.pdfVIP

Matlab Practical: Solving Differential Equations Introduction This practical is about solving differential equations numerically, an important skill. Initially you will code Euler’s method (to get some more practice with simple Matlab programming), but we will soon move on to using the built-in functions for solving differential equations, as these built-in functions are invariably used in practice. By the end of the practical you should be able to get Matlab to solve coupled non- linear systems of differential equations of the type that often arises in modelling studies. In particular we will investigate the equations governing enzyme kinetics. The first part of this practical concerns the differential equation dy ty subject to y(0) 2 (1) dt Again the practical consists of a series of exercises for you to do: these are boxed . Before each exercise, any necessary Matlab commands and concepts are briefly introduced; anything that should be typed into Matlab is denoted by courier. As you are actually typing the Matlab commands, think about why they behave as they do; if at any time you do not understand then please ask. Euler’s method As discussed in the lecture, Euler’s method is the simplest way of solving differential equations numerically. The method relates the current value of the right hand side of a first order differential equation to the new value of the numerical approximation. In particular, in solving the first order differential equation dy f (y ,t ) dt subject to the initial condition y (0) = y , Euler’s method creates