Numerical solutions of stiff diferantial equations

SUMMARY This thesis aims to assist the person who needs to solve stiff ordinary differen tial equations. First we identify the problem area and the basic difficulty by responding to some fundamental questions. Why is it worthwhile to distinguish a special class of problems termed stiff? How can we recognize them? Second we desribe the characteristics shared by methods for the numerical so lution of stiff problems. These characteristics have important implications as to the convenience and efficiency of solution of even routine problems. Third we shall briefly discuss what is meant by solving a differential equa tion numerically and what might be reasonably excepted in the case of stiff problems. u