Mathematics

Differential Analyzer Club

Differential Analyzer Club (DA Club) offers a mechanical visualization of mathematics for other students to explore. This visualization allows all majors to get involved and work on the machine. The hands-on experience that the DA offers shows students the possibilities of learning about mathematics and physics. Differential analyzer was designed and first built in the late 1920s by Dr. Vannevar Bush of MIT. It is a precursor to the modern computers and the machine's purpose was to solve nonlinear differential equations that could not be solved by other methods. Differential equations offer a relationship between a curve one is interested in and its rate of change and are used to model change, growth, or movement. This group is beneficial to the community because one of the goals with the DA Club is to take the machine around to local high schools and show students this different visualization of mathematics. The machine can be used as a teaching tool in high schools to get students inspired to follow their dreams. DA Club meets once a week and works with the machine to perfect the accuracy of the DA and has presented to two area high schools and the Science Center of Iowa.

Last Updated: 11/18/11