Advances in Dynamical Systems and Applications

  • Year: 2008
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue: 1

The Marshall Differential Analyzer Project: A visual interpretation of dynamic equations

  • Author:
  • Clayton Brooks, Saeed Keshavarzian, Bonita A. Lawrence, Richard Merritt
  • Total Page Count: 11
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 29 to 39

Department of Mathematics, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA

Abstract

The Marshall Differential Analyzer Team is currently constructing a primarily mechanical four integrator differential analyzer from Meccano type components. One of the primary goals of the project is to build a machine that can be used by local mathematics and science educators to teach their charges to analyze a particular function from the perspective of the relationship between its derivatives. In addition, the machine will be used to study nonlinear problems of interest to researchers in the broad field of dynamic equations. This work chronicles the project as well as describes in general how a differential analyzer models a differential equation. In particular, a description of the first phase of construction, our mini two integrator differential analyzer we call Lizzie is presented.