Linearization techniques for singular initial-value problems of ordinary differential equations

Abstract

Linearization methods for singular initial-value problems in second-order ordinary differential equations are presented. These methods result in linear constant-coefficients ordinary differential equations which can be integrated analytically, thus yielding piecewise analytical solutions and globally smooth solutions. The accuracy of these methods is assessed by comparisons with exact and asymptotic solutions of homogeneous and non-homogeneous, linear and nonlinear Lane–Emden equations. It is shown that linearization methods provide accurate solutions even near the singularity or the zeros of the solution. In fact, it is shown that linearization methods provide more accurate solutions than methods based on perturbation methods. It is also shown that the accuracy of these techniques depends on the nonlinearity of the ordinary differential equations and may not be a monotonic function of the step size.