What is Bundary Value Problems

In this chapter, a general strategy is recommended to solve variety of linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with boundary value conditions. With the aid of certain fundamental concepts of mathematics, Fourier series expansion, and metaheuristic algorithms, ODEs can be represented as an optimization problem. The purpose is to reduce the weighted residual error (error function) of the ODEs. Boundary values of ODEs are considered as constraints for the optimization model. Inverted generational distance metric is utilized for evaluation and assessment of approximate solutions versus exact solutions. Four ODEs having different orders and features are approximately solved and compared with their exact solutions. The optimization task is carried out using different optimizers including the particle swarm optimization and the water cycle algorithm. The optimization results obtained show that the proposed method equipped with metaheuristic algorithms can be successfully applied for approximate solving of different types of ODEs.