(a) A numerical method for solving the ordinary differential equation
y′(t)=f(t,y),t∈[0,T],y(0)=y0,
generates for every h>0 a sequence {yn}, where yn is an approximation to y(tn) and tn=nh. Explain what is meant by the convergence of the method.
(b) Prove from first principles that if the function f is sufficiently smooth and satisfies the Lipschitz condition
∣f(t,x)−f(t,y)∣⩽λ∣x−y∣,x,y∈R,t∈[0,T],
for some λ>0, then the trapezoidal rule
yn+1=yn+21h[f(tn,yn)+f(tn+1,yn+1)]
converges.