An introduction to singular perturbations

Abstract

In this article we discuss the asymptotic analysis of so-called singularly perturbed differential equations. We begin by discussing some very simple nonmathematical examples, and then proceed to two mathematical examples, namely, the well-known example of Friedrichs and a problem of John Mahony's. The presentation is addressed primarily to those who may have had little or no previous experience with this particular type of problem. However, the author hopes others will find something of interest in the somewhat unusual approach we take. © 2000 Rocky Mountain Mathematics Consortium.