Learning objectives

• Gain intuitive understanding of numerical methods to solve ODEs
  • Euler, Heun, Runge-Kutta 4th order
• Implement simple methods on spreadsheets
• Compare exact solutions with numerical solutions in simple cases

In class

• Solve differential equations by simple numerical methods using a spreadsheet
• Improved methods

On your own

• Investigate numerical methods further online.  For example, to gain some intuition, try this link.