Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
One of the most useful methods is fourth-order Runge-Kutta [ 16 ] , shown in Equation B.152
and Figure B.58 . It is referred to as a fourth-order method because its error term is on the order
of the interval h to the fifth power. The advantage of using the method is that although each step
requires more computation, larger step sizes can be used, resulting in an overall computational
savings.
h
2
, y n
k
2
f x n
1
￿ f ( x n , y n )
k 1
h
f ( x n , y n )
y n
y n
h
2
, y n
k
2
x n
1
( x n , y n )
x n
x n
x n
x n
1
1
h
h
Step to midpoint (using derivative previously
computed) and compute derivative
Compute the derivative at the beginning of
the interval
A
B
h
2
, y n
k
2
f x n
1
h
2
, y n
k
2
f ( x n
1 )
k 2
y n
y n
h
2
, y n
k
2
x n
2
x n
x n
x n
x n
1
1
h
h
Step to new midpoint from initial point
using midpoint's derivative just computed
Compute the derivative at the new midpoint
C
D
h
2
, y n
k
2
2
f ( x n
2 )
3
1
y n
k 3
y n
4
( x n
h, y n
k 3 )
x n
x n
1
x n
x n
1
h
h
Use new midpoint's derivative and step
from initial point to end of interval
Compute derivative at end of interval and
average with 3 previous derivatives to step
from initial point to next function value
E
F
FIGURE B.58
The steps in computing fourth-order Runge-Kutta.
 
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