Stability properties of variable stepsize variable formula methods

Summary When variable stepsize variable formula methods (VSVFM's) are used in the solution of systems of first order differential equations instability arises sometimes. Therefore it is important to find VSVFM's whose zerostability properties are not affected by the choice of both the stepsize and the formula. The Adams VSVFM's are such methods. In this work a more general class of methods which contains the Adams VSVFM's is discussed and it is proved that the zero-stability of the class is not affected by the choice of the stepsize and of the formula.