Euler’s method for numerical integration

E54272

Euler’s method for numerical integration is a simple first-order numerical procedure used to approximate solutions to ordinary differential equations by stepping forward in small increments.


Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf explicit method
first-order method
initial value problem solver
numerical method
one-step method
accuracyDependsOn step size h
alsoKnownAs Euler’s method
forward Euler method
appliedIn engineering computations
physics simulations
population dynamics models
approximates solution curve of dy/dt = f(t,y)
assumes given initial condition y(t0) = y0
convergenceOrder 1
doesNotRequire solving algebraic equations at each step
errorType accumulated round-off error
truncation error
geometricInterpretation uses tangent line approximation at each step
globalErrorOrder O(h)
hasUpdateFormula y_{n+1} = y_n + h f(t_n, y_n)
input differential equation dy/dt = f(t,y)
initial time t0
initial value y0
step size h
isExplicit true
isGeneralizedBy Heun’s method
classical fourth-order Runge–Kutta method
higher-order Runge–Kutta methods
improved Euler method
midpoint method
isNotWellSuitedFor stiff differential equations
isRelatedTo backward Euler method
predictor–corrector methods
semi-implicit Euler method
isSpecialCaseOf Runge–Kutta methods
linear multistep methods with one step
isSuitableFor non-stiff differential equations
localTruncationErrorOrder O(h^2)
namedAfter Leonhard Euler
output discrete approximation (t_n, y_n) to solution
requires evaluation of derivative function f at current point
smallerStepSizeEffect increases accuracy
increases computational cost
stabilityType conditionally stable
timeSteppingDirection forward in time
typicalUse simple simulations where high accuracy is not critical
teaching basic concepts of numerical ODE solving
usedFor approximating solutions of ordinary differential equations
numerical integration of initial value problems
uses step size h

Referenced by (4)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Euler’s method for numerical integration ("Euler’s method")
Euler’s method for numerical integration ("forward Euler method")
alsoKnownAs
Euler–Maruyama method ("Euler method")
basedOn
Leonhard Euler
notableWork

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