A numerical approach for a class of astrophysics equations using piecewise spectral-variational iteration method

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to implement the piecewise spectral-variational iteration method (PSVIM) to solve the nonlinear Lane-Emden equations arising in mathematical physics and astrophysics.

Design/methodology/approach

This method is based on a combination of Chebyshev interpolation and standard variational iteration method (VIM) and matching it to a sequence of subintervals. Unlike the spectral method and the VIM, the proposed PSVIM does not require the solution of any linear or nonlinear system of equations and analytical integration.

Findings

Some well-known classes of Lane-Emden type equations are solved as examples to demonstrate the accuracy and easy implementation of this technique.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new and efficient technique is proposed to solve the nonlinear Lane-Emden equations. The proposed method overcomes the difficulties arising in calculating complicated and time-consuming integrals and terms that are not needed in the standard VIM.

Citation

Heydari, M., Barid Loghmani, G. and Wazwaz, A.-M. (2017), "A numerical approach for a class of astrophysics equations using piecewise spectral-variational iteration method", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 27 No. 2, pp. 358-378. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-09-2015-0379