Higher-order finite-difference methods for partial differential equations

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This thesis develops two families of numerical methods, based upon rational approximations having distinct real poles, for solving first- and second-order parabolic/ hyperbolic partial differential equations. These methods are thirdand fourth-order accurate in space and time, and do not require the use of complex arithmetic. In these methods first- and second-order spatial derivatives are approximated by finite-difference approximations which produce systems of ordinary differential equations expressible in vector-matrix forms. Solutions of these systems satisfy recurrence relations which lead to the development of parallel algorithms suitable for computer architectures consisting of three or four processors. Finally, the methods are tested on advection, advection-diffusion and wave equations with constant coefficients