electiveHQ

This module is an introduction to calculus of several variables. In addition, the study of linear ordinary differential equations is extended from first order (seen in stage 1) to higher order. The module is currently divided into nine chapters on the following topics (details below): 1. Functions of several variables; 2. Partial derivatives, chain rule, linear approximation; 3. Gradient and directional derivatives; 4. Second order partial derivatives and the Hessian matrix; 5. The Jacobian matrix, chain rule and inverse function theorem; 6. Maxima and minima, classification of critical points; 7. Constrained optimization and Lagrange multipliers; 8. Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients; 9. (Time permitting) The Laplace transform. [Disclaimer: module content and assessment strategies may be subject to minor changes during the trimester. These changes may not be reflected in this module descriptor at that time, but will be clearly communicated to all students via other means.]