Numerical solutions of differential equations

Numerical solutions of differential equations

IB Year 6 | Grade 12

Consider the differential equation \(\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} = 2x + y - 1\) with \(y(0) = 1\).

  1. Using Euler's Method with increments of \(0.2\), find an approximate value for \(y\) when \(x = 1\).
  2. Explain how Euler's method could be improved to provide better approximation.
  3. Solve the differential equation to find an exact value for \(y\) when \(x = 1\).
Answer:(a) \(1.98\); (b) By reducing the step length; (c) \(y = 2(e^x - x) - 1\) , \(2.44\).

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