Classical fourth-order Runge-Kutta method 2026-10-05
The classical four-stage explicit Runge-Kutta method usesIt satisfies the fourth-order conditions for a Runge-Kutta method. Its polynomial stability function excludes A-stability, while gives the imaginary-axis stability interval .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 341 2 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
The nodes have Lagrange interpolation polynomialsThe coefficients obtained from and reproduce the given Butcher tableau. In particular, the second row's last entry is , which is missing from the TeX transcription. Thus this is the three-stage Lobatto IIIA method.
One applicable collocation theorem is that -stage Lobatto IIIA collocation has order . Alternatively, the fourth-order conditions for a Runge-Kutta method give a direct verification. With , and , the eight required Butcher order conditions arePowers of here are componentwise. Substitution satisfies all eight. The stability function computed from the stages isIts expansion satisfies , so even the scalar linear problem fails the fifth-order condition. HenceThe Butcher order condition theorem equates order with all conditions for rooted trees through order ; the displayed conditions are its complete specialization through order four.