Solving Directly Higher Order Ordinary Differential Equations by Using Variable Order Block Backward Differentiation Formulae

Abstract

Variable order block backward differentiation formulae (VOHOBBDF) method is employedfor treating numerically higher order Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs). In this respect, the purpose of this research is to treat initial value problem (IVP) of higher order stiff ODEs directly. BBDF method is symmetrical to BDF method but it has the advantage of producing more than one solutions simultaneously. Order three, four, and five of VOHOBBDF are developed and implemented as a single code by applying adaptive order approach to enhance the computational efficiency. This approach enables the selection of the least computed LTE among the three orders of VOHOBBDF and switch the code to the method that produces the least LTE for the next step. A few numerical experiments on the focused problem were performed to investigate the numerical efficiency of implementing VOHOBBDF methods in a single code. The analysis of the experimental results reveals the numerical efficiency of this approach as it yielded better performances with less computational effort when compared with built-in stiff Matlab codes. The superior performances demonstrated by the application of adaptive orders selection in a single code thus indicate its reliability as a direct solver for higher order stiff ODEs.