How can I show that the Euler method fails to approximate the exact solution y(x)=(2x/3)^3/2 to the IVP y′=y^1/3 y(0)=0

zabuheljz

zabuheljz

Open question

2022-08-14

How can I show that the Euler method fails to approximate the exact solution
y ( x ) = ( 2 x / 3 ) 3 / 2
to the IVP
y = y 1 3
y ( 0 ) = 0
Here we have f ( t , y ) = y 1 3 , y 0 = 0 and so f ( t 0 , y 0 ) = f ( 0 , 0 ) = 0 and
y n + 1 = y n + h f ( t n , y n )
Thus
y 1 = 0 y 2 = 0 y n = 0
So, I can't understand why it fails. Could you help me?

Answer & Explanation

Irene Simon

Irene Simon

Beginner2022-08-15Added 16 answers

Note that the general solution,
y ( x ) = ( 2 x + C 3 ) 3 / 2
Can be achieved by integration:
d y y 1 / 3 = d x
This assumes that y 0, which is not necessarily true. You therefore have two solutions at x = 0, and you can't force the Euler method to "choose" the right one.

The reason you don't have a unique solution at x = 0 is that d ( y 1 / 3 ) / d x does not exist on any open interval containing x = 0. Choosing an IV point with x > 0 will guarantee local uniqueness.

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