On the properties of numerical solutions of dynamical systems obtained using the midpoint method

Abstract

The article considers the midpoint scheme as a finite-difference scheme for a dynamical system of the form ̇ = (). This scheme is remarkable because according to Cooper’s theorem, it preserves all quadratic integrals of motion, moreover, it is the simplest scheme among symplectic Runge-Kutta schemes possessing this property. The properties of approximate solutions were studied in the framework of numerical experiments with linear and nonlinear oscillators, as well as with a system of several coupled oscillators. It is shown that in addition to the conservation of all integrals of motion, approximate solutions inherit the periodicity of motion. At the same time, attention is paid to the discussion of introducing the concept of periodicity of an approximate solution found by the difference scheme. In the case of a nonlinear oscillator, each step requires solving a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. The issues of organizing computations using such schemes are discussed. Comparison with other schemes, including those symmetric with respect to permutation of and .̂