Single-Term Walsh Series Direct Method for the Solution of Nonlinear Problems in the Calculus of Variations

Abstract

A direct method for solving variational problems using single-term Walsh series is presented. Two nonlinear examples are considered. In the first example the classical brachistochrone problem is examined. and in the second example a higher-order nonlinear problem is considered. The properties of single-term Walsh series are given and are utilized to reduce the calculus of variations problems to the solution of algebraic equations. The method is general, easy to implement and yields accurate results.