Mathematics & Science Learning Center
Computer Laboratory

This procedure may be used to make pictures of slope fields by hand, however, a far less tedious option is to have the computer follow these steps for you.

1. Put the differential equation in the form dy/dx = g(x,y)
2. Decide upon what rectangular region of the plane you want to make the picture
3. Impose a grid on this region
4. Calculate the value of the slope, g(x,y), at each grid point, (x,y)
5. Sketch a picture in which at each grid point there is a short line segment having the corresponding slope

Hopefully those steps make sense... Anyway, let's get back to the main introduction.

If you're lost, impatient, want an overview of this laboratory assignment, or maybe even all three, you can click on the compass button on the left to go to the table of contents for this laboratory assignment.