Numerical solution of differential eigenvalue problems with an operational approach to the Tau method

Abstract

A technique for the numerical solution of eigenvalue problems defined by differential equations, based on an operational approach to the Tau method recently proposed by the authors, is shown to be equivalent to a method of Chaves and Oritz. The technique discussed here leads to an algorithmic formulation of remarkable simplicity and to numerical results of high accuracy. It requires no shooting and can deal with complex multipoint boundary conditions and a nonlinear dependence on the eigenvalue parameter.