Strategy for the teaching of linear differential equations with constant coeffcients through the inverse operator method

Abstract

One of the most desirable aspects of teaching mathematics is the development of a wide variety of strategies that improve the quality of learning in students. This work shows how the implementation of a method based on inverse operators to solve linear differential equations produces better results than other, more traditional, methods. We tested our hypothesis over a group conformed by 80 students from the Biochemistry and Mechatronics Engineering Departments of the Technological Institute of Colima, part of the National Technological Institute of México. The experimental design was comprised by two groups of students: the traditional methods were implemented to the first group of students (named as the control group) while the inverse operator method was taught to the other (named as the test group). The statistical test over the results shows a significant difference between the approval rating of both groups, suggesting that there is enough evidence to conclude that the teaching of inverse operators is an efficient alternative for the solution of linear differential equations with constant coefficients.