A procedure with stepsize control for solving n one-dimensional IVPs

Finite precision computations may affect the stability of algorithms and the accuracy of computed solutions. In this paper we first obtain a relation for computing the number of common significant digits between the exact solution and a computed solution of a one-dimensional initial-value problem obtained by using a single-step or multi-step method. In fact, by using the approximate solutions obtained with stepsizes h and h /2, the number of common significant digits between approximate solution with stepsize h and exact solution is estimated. Then by using the stochastic arithmetic, the CESTAC method, and the CADNA library we propose an algorithm to control the round-off error effect on the computed solution. This method can easily apply to a system of n one-dimensional initial-value problems. Finally some numerical examples are given to show the efficiency of the method. © 2007 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.