Higher order continuous solution of \(y''=f(x,y,y')\) and \(y''=f(x,y)\) initial value problems (Q1122949)

The paper presents an application of the third author's continuous method (for the approximate solution of initial value problems [Comput. Math. Appl. 10, 139--159 (1984; Zbl 0552.65056)] for solving systems of the form \(y''=f(x,y,y')\) and \(y''=f(x,y)\). The authors give three formulas such that y and \(y'\) are continuously imbedded with \(x=x_ 0+ch\), where \(c\in (0,1)\), as valid approximation of Runge-Kutta type. These formulas are as follows: -- fifth order four stage with continuous fourth order \(y\) and third order \(y'\), -- fifth order six stage with continuous fifth order \(y\) and fourth order \(y'\), -- sixth order seven stage with continuous fifth order \(y\) and fourth order \(y'\). In each of these formulas the order for the continuous \(y\) is increased by 1 for \(c=1\). The values of \(c>1\) may be used to extend the approximation for the current step and for an automatic step size correction for the next step. The authors compare their results with the method of \textit{S. H. Chang} and \textit{P. C. Gnepp} [Calcolo 21, 369--377 (1984; Zbl 0573.65058)]. On the basis of numerical examples it appears that the proposed approach yields much more accurate solutions.