Stability properties of collocation methods (Q1098585)

The aim of this note is to study the A(\(\alpha)\)-stability of equidistant collocation methods for the numerical solution of initial value problems. Using the maximum modulus theorem the following facts are proved: If the s collocation points are \(t_ k=(k-1)/s\), \(k=1(1)s\), then the methods cannot be A(O)-stable. Secondly if the collocation points are \(t_ k=k/(s+1)\) \(k=1(1)s\) or \(t_ k=k/s\), \(k=1(1)s\), then the methods are at least A(\(\pi\) /2s)-stable. Finally in the case \(t_ k=(k-1)/(s-1)\), \(k=1(1)s\) the methods are at least A(\(\pi\) /(2s-2)) stable.