Numerical Assessment of Some Almost Runge-Kutta and Runge-Kutta Methods for First- Order Differential Equation

Abstract

Numerical methods play a critical role in solving first-order Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), with their efficiency and accuracy being key considerations. This study conducts a detailed comparative analysis of four numerical schemes: the Almost Runge-Kutta fourth-order scheme (ARK4), the Almost Runge-Kutta third-order fourth-stage scheme (ARK34), the classical Runge- Kutta fourth-order scheme (RK4), and the Runge-Kutta fourth-order fifth-stage scheme (RK45). The methods are evaluated based on their computational accuracy, error behavior, and efficiency. Numerical experiments reveal that all methods deliver highly accurate solutions, with ARK4 emerging as the most effective due to its lower computational complexity. ARK4 demonstrates superior performance in achieving minimal absolute error with reduced computational effort, making it a suitable choice for solving first-order ODEs. This study highlights ARK4 as a viable alternative to conventional Runge-Kutta methods for practical applications.