Quintic \(C^2\)-spline integration methods for solving second-order ordinary initial value problems (Q1971849)

A global collocation method is proposed for the integration of second order ordinary initial value problems. The method is based on quintic \(C^2\)-splines as an approximation to the exact solution of the problem. It is shown that the method is a continuous extension of a multistep method, its derivative reproduces the values given by the three-eighths-Simpson formula at the mesh points, and it is a fourth order one-step, self-starting scheme. In addition to those, the method provides continuous approximations to the first and second derivative of the solution as well. The periodic stability and absolute stability of the proposed method are investigated. The numerical results reflect the efficacy of the proposed method compared with the multistep methods of the same order.