Asymptotic matching by the symbolic manipulator MACSYMA (Q1080628)

This paper is devoted to the solution of singular perturbation problems by the method of matching asymptotic expansions using the algebraic manipulator system MACSYMA. The author has considered in detail two simple models of singular perturbation problems. The first model given by \(\epsilon f''(x)+f'(x)+f(x)=0\), \(f(0)=A\), \(f(1)=B\), resembles the boundary layer equation. In this case both the outer and inner expansions are simple power series in \(\epsilon\) and the first five approximations have been successfully computed by MACSYMA. The second model is a turning point problem that has been studied by \textit{L. Fraenkel} [Proc. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 65, 209-231, 233-261 and 263-284 (1969; Zbl 0187.241)], and using MACSYMA fourteen terms of the series solution have been found. Finally some remarks about the use of MACSYMA in asymptotic matching are given.