A variable step-size fourth-derivative hybrid block strategy for integrating third-order IVPs, with applications

ABSTRACT

In this paper, an efficient fourth-derivative two-step hybrid block strategy (FDTHBS) to get the approximate solution of a third-order IVP with applications to problems in Fluid Dynamics and Engineering is constructed. The mathematical derivation of the proposed FDTHBS is based on the interpolation and collocation of the exact solution and its derivatives at the selected equidistant grid and off-grid points. The theoretical characteristics of the proposed method are analysed. An embedding-like procedure is considered and executed in variable step-size mode to get better performance of the newly developed strategy. Some test problems, including the well-known Blasius equation and three different types of non-linear thin-film flow problems, are integrated numerically to ascertain the superior impact of our developed error estimation and control strategy. It is worth concluding that the proposed technique is not only efficient in term of CPU time, but also minimizes errors and support the analytical results.

Keywords:

• Ordinary differential equations
• third-order initial value problems
• variable step-size formulation
• fourth-derivative hybrid block method
• collocation and interpolation techniques

2010 AMS Subject Classifications:

• 65L05
• 65L20

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).