103

Akbari–Ganji’s Method

9.1 Introduction
There exist a variety of analytical and numerical methods for solving linear
differential equations as discussed in Chapters 1–8, but methods for solving
nonlinear differential equations [1, 2] are quite challenging. In this regard, this
chapter focuses on an innovative algebraic approach proposed by Akbari et al.
[3] for solving nonlinear differential equations. However, in Ref. [4], it is also
termed as a semi-analytic method. The algebraic approach was initially referred
to as Algebraic Method and then renamed as Akbari–Ganji’s method (AGM).
Akbari et al. [5] gave a detailed discussion on solving nonlinear, non-vibrational,
vibrational, and integro-differential equations using the AGM along with Maple
codes.
There exist various other semi-analytical approaches for solving nonlinear
differential equations viz. Lyapunov’s small parameter method, Adomian
decomposition method (ADM), etc. Later in Chapter 11, the ADM approach
is discussed for solving nonlinear (ordinary or partial) differential equations.
There also exist other new techniques viz. homotopy perturbation method
(HPM), variational iteration method (VIM), homotopy analysis method
(HAM), etc. which are further considered in Chapters 12–14. In this chapter
we will mainly focus on solving nonlinear ordinary differential equations
only using the AGM. The chapter is organized such that the next section
consists of preliminaries and AGM approach for solving nonlinear ordinary
differential equations. Then, numerical examples of unforced and forced
nonlinear differential equations have been incorporated into Section 9.3.
Modeling of nonlinear differential equations analytically is rather more
difficult compared to solving linear differential equations. In this regard, the
AGM may be considered as a powerful algebraic (semi-analytic) approach for
solving such problems. In the AGM, initially a solution function consisting of
unknown constant coefficients is assumed satisfying the differential equation
and the initial conditions (IC). Then, the unknown coefficients are computed
using algebraic equations obtained with respect to IC and their derivatives.

Advanced Numerical and Semi-Analytical Methods for Differential Equations, First Edition.
Snehashish Chakraverty, Nisha Rani Mahato, Perumandla Karunakar, and Tharasi Dilleswar Rao.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
104 9 Akbari–Ganji’s Method

9.2 Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations

The basic notion of nonlinear differential equation and its solution procedure
is illustrated in this section.

9.2.1 Preliminaries
Let us consider a general form of nonlinear ordinary differential equation
A(u) = f (t) (9.1)
having A(u) = L(u) + N(u), where L(u) is the linear part, N(u) is the nonlin-
ear part, and f (t) is the applied external force. In the absence of external force,
that is when f (t) = 0, Eq. (9.1) gets converted to unforced nonlinear differential
equation
A(u) = 0 (9.2)
In Eqs. (9.1) and (9.2), if the highest order of the derivative is of second order,
then such problems are referred to as second-order nonlinear forced and
unforced differential equations, respectively. Application problems such as
some vibrational systems are governed by second-order nonlinear differential
equations. In this context, the detailed illustration of the AGM approach is
presented in Section 9.2.2 for solving unforced and forced ordinary nonlinear
differential equations.

9.2.2 AGM Approach

In particular, consider a second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation
as
F(u′′ (t), u′ (t), u(t), f (𝜔0 t)) = 0 (9.3)
′′ ′
where F(u (t), u (t), u(t), f (𝜔0 t)) = A(u) − f (t) having IC
IC ∶u(0) = A and u′ (0) = B. (9.4)
The basic steps involved in the AGM approach for solving Eq. (9.3) are
detailed below:
Step (i): Assume a solution in terms of unknown coefficients. For instance, in
case of governing differential equations of unforced vibration systems, the
solution is assumed in terms of trigonometric function
u(t) = e−bt {a cos(𝜔t + 𝜑)} (9.5)
and in the forced case, the initial solution is assumed as
u(t) = e−bt {a cos(𝜔t + 𝜑)} + d cos(𝜔0 t + 𝜙). (9.6)
 9.3 Numerical Examples 105

Step (ii): Substitute the assumed solution (9.5) in the IC given in Eq. (9.4) to
obtain
a cos(𝜑) = A,
and
−ab cos(𝜑) − a𝜔 sin(𝜑) = B
for unforced differential equation. In case of forced differential equation, sub-
stitute the assumed solution (9.6) in the IC to obtain
a cos(𝜑) + d cos(𝜙) = A
and
−ab cos(𝜑) − a𝜔 sin(𝜑) − d𝜔0 sin(𝜙) = B.
Further, it may be noted that this step helps in obtaining two algebraic
equations in terms of the unknown coefficients. Accordingly, the remaining
algebraic equations are obtained using the next step.
Step (iii): Substitute the assumed solution (9.5) or (9.6) in the governing differ-
ential equation (9.3) resulting in
H(t) = F(u′′ (t), u′ (t), u(t), f (𝜔0 t)). (9.7)
Using IC, compute the differential equation (9.7) and its derivatives as
H(t) = F(u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC)) ⎫
⎪
H (t) = F(u (IC), u (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC)) ⎪
′ ′′ ′

⎬ (9.8)
H ′′ (t) = F ′′ (u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC))⎪
⎪
and so on. ⎭
It is worth mentioning that the number of equations obtained using steps (ii)
and (iii) are equivalent to numbers of unknowns.

9.3 Numerical Examples

This section illustrates the efficiency of the procedure discussed in Section 9.2.2
using unforced and forced nonlinear differential equations with respect to
Helmholtz and Duffing equations in Sections 9.3.1 and 9.3.2, respectively.

9.3.1 Unforced Nonlinear Differential Equations

Let us consider an unforced nonlinear ordinary differential equation as
F(u′′ (t), u′ (t), u(t)) = 0 (9.9)
having IC: u(0) = A and u′ (0) = B. Accordingly, using Eq. (9.5) the solu-
tion in terms of four unknown coefficients a, b, 𝜔, and 𝜑 is assumed as
106 9 Akbari–Ganji’s Method

u(t) = e−bt {a cos(𝜔t + 𝜑)}. Now, substituting u(t) in Eq. (9.9) gives F(u′′ (t),
u′ (t), u(t)) = 0, where
u′ (t) = ae−bt {b cos(𝜔t + 𝜑) − 𝜔 sin(𝜔t + 𝜑)}, (9.10)
u′′ (t) = ae−bt {(b2 − 𝜔2 ) cos(𝜔t + 𝜑) + 2b𝜔 sin(𝜔t + 𝜑)}. (9.11)
Using IC, Eqs. (9.10) and (9.11) get converted to two algebraic equations given
by
a cos(𝜑) = A (9.12)
and
−ab cos(𝜑) − a𝜔 sin(𝜑) = B. (9.13)
Further, applying Eq. (9.8), the two more algebraic equations for computing
the unknowns a, b, 𝜔, and 𝜑 are obtained as
F(u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC)) = 0 (9.14)
and
F ′ (u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC)) = 0. (9.15)

Example 9.1 Let us consider Helmholtz equation (Momani et al. [7]) given
by
y′′ + 2y + y2 = 0, (9.16)
having IC
y(0) = 0.1 and y′ (0) = 0. (9.17)

Solution Assume the solution in terms of unknown coefficients as y(t) = e−bt

{a cos(𝜔t + 𝜑)}. Then, using Eqs. (9.12)–(9.15), the algebraic equations are
obtained as
a cos(𝜑) = 0.1, (9.18)
−ab cos(𝜑) − a𝜔 sin(𝜑) = 0, (9.19)
(ab2 − a𝜔2 + 2a) cos(𝜑) + 2ab𝜔 sin(𝜑) − a2 cos2 (𝜑) = 0, (9.20)
and
(−ab3 + 3ab𝜔2 − 2ab) cos(𝜑) + (−3ab2 𝜔 + a𝜔3 − 2a𝜔) sin(𝜑)
−2a2 bcos2 (𝜑) − 2a2 𝜔 cos(𝜑) sin(𝜑) = 0. (9.21)
Solving Eqs. (9.18)–(9.21) results in solution set a = 0.1, b = 0, 𝜔 = 1.4491,
and 𝜑 = 0. As such, the algebraic solution obtained using the AGM approach is
y(t) = 0.1 cos(1.4491t). (9.22)
 9.3 Numerical Examples 107

0.1
0.1
0.05

y′(t)
y(t)

0 0

–0.05
–0.1
–0.1
0 5 10 15 20 –0.1 0 0.1
t y(t)
(a) (b)

Figure 9.1 Plots of (a) solution y(t) and (b) phase plane of Example 9.1 obtained using the
AGM.

Corresponding solution and phase plane plots of Eq. (9.22) have been
depicted in Figure 9.1.

In Section 9.3.2, we address forced differential (Duffing) equation using

the AGM.

9.3.2 Forced Nonlinear Differential Equation

Let us now consider a forced nonlinear ordinary differential equation as given
in Eq. (9.3)
F(u′′ (t), u′ (t), u(t), f (𝜔0 t)) = 0
having IC
IC ∶ u(0) = A and u′ (0) = B.
In case of forced differential equations, the solution in terms of seven
unknown coefficients a, b, d, 𝜔, 𝜔0 , 𝜑, and 𝜙 as given in Eq. (9.6) is assumed as
u(t) = e−bt {a cos(𝜔t + 𝜑)} + d cos(𝜔0 t + 𝜙). (9.23)
As such, the differential equation may be obtained as F(u′′ (t), u′ (t), u(t),
f (𝜔0 t)) = 0, where

u′ (t) = ae−bt {−b cos(𝜔t + 𝜑) − 𝜔 sin(𝜔t + 𝜑)} − d𝜔0 cos(𝜔0 t + 𝜙)

(9.24)
and

u′′ (t) = ae−bt {(b2 − 𝜔2 ) cos(𝜔t + 𝜑) + 2b𝜔 sin(𝜔t + 𝜑)} − d𝜔20 cos(𝜔0 t + 𝜙).
(9.25)
108 9 Akbari–Ganji’s Method

Then the two algebraic equations, using IC in Eqs. (9.23) and (9.24), are
obtained as
ab cos(𝜑) + d cos(𝜙) = A, (9.26)
−ab cos(𝜑) − a𝜔 sin(𝜑) − d𝜔0 sin(𝜙) = B. (9.27)
Using Eq. (9.8), the remaining five algebraic equations for computing the
unknowns a, b, d, 𝜔, 𝜔0 , 𝜑, and 𝜙 are obtained as
F(u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC)) = 0, ⎫
⎪
F ′ (u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC)) = 0, ⎪
⎪
F ′′ (u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC)) = 0, ⎬ (9.28)
⎪
F ′′′ (u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC)) = 0, ⎪
⎪
F (iv) (u′′ (IC), u′ (IC), u(IC), f (𝜔0 IC)) = 0.⎭
Above seven algebraic equations (9.26)–(9.28) help in computation of
unknown constant coefficients a, b, d, 𝜔, 𝜔0 , 𝜑, and 𝜙.

Example 9.2 Let us consider the Duffing equation (Yusufoğlu [8]) given by
u′′ (t) + 3u(t) − 2u3 (t) = cos(t) sin(2t) (9.29)
having IC
u(0) = 0, u′ (0) = 1. (9.30)

Solution Assume the solution in terms of unknown coefficients for Eq. (9.29)
as u(t) = e−bt {a cos(𝜔t + 𝜑)} + d cos(𝜔0 t + 𝜙). Using Eqs. (9.26)–(9.28), the alge-
braic equations are obtained as
a cos(𝜑) + d cos(𝜙) = 0, (9.31)
− ab cos(𝜑) − a𝜔 sin(𝜑) − d𝜔0 sin(𝜙) = 1, (9.32)

(ab2 − a𝜔2 + 3a) cos(𝜑) + 2ab𝜔 sin(𝜑)

+ (3 − 𝜔20 )d cos(𝜙) − 2(a cos(𝜑) + d cos(𝜙))3 = 0, (9.33)

(ab2 − a𝜔2 + 3a)b cos 𝜑 + (−3b2 𝜔 + 𝜔3 − 3) sin 𝜑 + (𝜔20 − 3)d𝜔0

sin 𝜙 + 6(a cos 𝜑 + d cos 𝜙)2 (−ab cos 𝜑 − a𝜔 sin 𝜑 − d𝜔0 sin 𝜙) = 2.
(9.34)
(ab4 − 6ab2 𝜔2 + a𝜔4 + 3ab2 − 3a𝜔2 ) cos(𝜑) + (4ab3 𝜔 − 4ab𝜔3 + 6ab𝜔) sin(𝜑)
+ (d𝜔40 − 3d𝜔20 ) cos(𝜙) − 12(a cos(𝜑) + d cos(𝜙))
× (−ab cos(𝜑) − a𝜔 sin(𝜑) − d𝜔0 sin(𝜙))2 − 6(a cos(𝜑) + d cos(𝜙))2
× (ab2 cos(𝜑) + 2ab𝜔 sin(𝜑) − a𝜔2 cos(𝜑) − d𝜔20 cos(𝜙)) = 0. (9.35)
 References 109

1 1

u′(t)
u(t)

0 0

–1 –1
0 5 10 15 20 –1 0 1
t u(t)
(a) (b)

Figure 9.2 Plots of (a) solution u(t) and (b) phase plane of Example 9.2 obtained using the
AGM.

It results in a 7 × 7 system of algebraic equations having seven unknowns

resulting in a solution set a = − 1, b = 0, d = 1, 𝜔 = − 1, 𝜔0 = 0, 𝜑 = − 𝜋2 , and
𝜙 = 𝜋. As such, the solution obtained using the AGM approach is u(t) = sin(t).
The solution and phase plane plots are depicted in Figure 9.2.
It is worth mentioning that the present chapter gives an overview of
implementation of the AGM for solving nonlinear second-order ordinary
differential equations. In case of the AGM procedure for solving higher-order
differential equations, readers are encouraged to refer the books [4, 5]. Further,
in order to solve partial differential equations, Laplace transform method may
be combined with the AGM as given in Refs. [5, 6].

Exercise
1 Solve the unforced Duffing equation u′′ (t) + 3u(t) − 2u3 (t) = 0 subject to IC
u(0) = 0 and u′ (0) = 0.5 using the AGM.

2 Compute the solution of forced Duffing oscillator u′′ (t) − 2u3 (t) = t subject
to IC u(0) = 0 and u′ (0) = 1 using the AGM.

References
1 Fucik, S. and Kufner, A. (2014). Nonlinear Differential Equations, vol. 2.
Prague: Elsevier.
2 Hermann, M. and Seravi, M. (2016). Nonlinear Ordinary Differential
Equations. New Delhi: Springer.
3 Akbari, M.R., Ganji, D.D., Nimafar, M., and Ahmadi, A.R. (2014). Signifi-
cant progress in solution of nonlinear equations at displacement of structure
110 9 Akbari–Ganji’s Method

and heat transfer extended surface by new AGM approach. Frontiers of

Mechanical Engineering 9 (4): 390–401.
4 Sheikholeslami, M. and Ganji, D.D. (2018). Applications of Semi-Analytical
Methods for Nanofluid Flow and Heat Transfer. Oxford: Elsevier.
5 Akbari, M. (2015). Nonlinear Dynamic in Engineering by Akbari-Ganji’s
Method. Xlibris Corporation.
6 Ganji, D.D. and Talarposhti, R.A. (2017). Numerical and Analytical Solutions
for Solving Nonlinear Equations in Heat Transfer. Hershey, PA: Technology
and Engineering, IGI Global.
7 Momani, S., Erjaee, G.H., and Alnasr, M.H. (2009). The modified homotopy
perturbation method for solving strongly nonlinear oscillators. Computers
and Mathematics with Applications 58 (11–12): 2209–2220.
8 Yusufoğlu, E. (2006). Numerical solution of Duffing equation by the Laplace
decomposition algorithm. Applied Mathematics and Computation 177 (2):
572–580.