Difference Equations: An Introduction With Applications. Walter G. Kelley, Allan C. Peterson

From the reviews to the first edition: Most of the literature about stochastic differential equations seems to place so much emphasis on rigor and completeness that it scares the nonexperts away. These notes are an attempt to approach the subject from the nonexpert point of view.: Not knowing anything … about a subject to start with, what would I like to know first of all. My answer would be: 1) In what situations does the subject arise ? 2) What are its essential features? 3) What are the applications and the connections to other fields?" The author, a lucid mind with a fine pedagocical instinct, has written a splendid text that achieves his aims set forward above. He starts out by stating six problems in the introduction in which stochastic differential equations play an essential role in the solution. Then, while developing stochastic calculus, he frequently returns to these problems and variants thereof and to many other problems to show how thetheory works and to motivate the next step in the theoretical development. Needless to say, he restricts himself to stochastic integration with respectto Brownian motion. He is not hesitant to give some basic results without proof in order to leave room for "some more basic applications"… It can be an ideal text for a graduate course, but it is also recommended to analysts (in particular, those working in differential equations and deterministic dynamical systems and control) who wish to learn quickly what stochastic differential equations are all about. From: Acta Scientiarum Mathematicarum, Tom 50, 3-4, 1986.

From the reviews of the fifth edition:
"This is a highly readable and refreshingly rigorous introduction to stochastic calculus. … This is not a watered-down treatment. It is a serious introduction that starts with fundamental measure-theoretic concepts and ends, coincidentally, with the Black-Scholes formula as one of several examples of applications. This is the best single resource for learning the stochastic calculus … ." (riskbook.com, 2002)

by Michael J. Panik (Author)

Goals and Emphasis of the Book Mathematicians have begun to find productive ways to incorporate computing power into the mathematics curriculum. There is no attempt here to use computing to avoid doing differential equations and linear algebra. The goal is to make some first ex­ plorations in the subject accessible to students who have had one year of calculus. Some of the sciences are now using the symbol-manipulative power of Mathemat­ ica to make more of their subject accessible. This book is one way of doing so for differential equations and linear algebra. I believe that if a student's first exposure to a subject is pleasant and exciting, then that student will seek out ways to continue the study of the subject. The theory of differential equations and of linear algebra permeates the discussion. Every topic is supported by a statement of the theory. But the primary thrust here is obtaining solutions and information about solutions, rather than proving theorems. There are other courses where proving theorems is central. The goals of this text are to establish a solid understanding of the notion of solution, and an appreciation for the confidence that the theory gives during a search for solutions. Later the student can have the same confidence while personally developing the theory.

Goals and Emphasis of the Book Mathematicians have begun to find productive ways to incorporate computing power into the mathematics curriculum. There is no attempt here to use computing to avoid doing differential equations and linear algebra. The goal is to make some first ex­ plorations in the subject accessible to students who have had one year of calculus. Some of the sciences are now using the symbol-manipulative power of Mathemat­ ica to make more of their subject accessible. This book is one way of doing so for differential equations and linear algebra. I believe that if a student's first exposure to a subject is pleasant and exciting, then that student will seek out ways to continue the study of the subject. The theory of differential equations and of linear algebra permeates the discussion. Every topic is supported by a statement of the theory. But the primary thrust here is obtaining solutions and information about solutions, rather than proving theorems. There are other courses where proving theorems is central. The goals of this text are to establish a solid understanding of the notion of solution, and an appreciation for the confidence that the theory gives during a search for solutions. Later the student can have the same confidence while personally developing the theory.