Numerical transformation methods: a constructive approach

Within group invariance theory we consider a constructive approach in order to define numerical transformation methods. These are initial-value methods for the solution of boundary value problems governed by ordinary differential equations. Here we consider the class of free boundary value problems governed by the most general second-order equation in normal form. For this class of problems the main theorem is concerned with the definition of an iterative transformation method. The definition of a noniterative method, applicable to a subclass of the original class of problems, follows as a corollary. Therefore, the proposed constructive approach allows us to establish a unifying framework for noniterative and iterative transformation methods.