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Differential EquationsChallengeNumerical Methods: Euler to Runge–Kutta

Numerical Methods: Euler to Runge–Kutta · Challenge problem

The second-order Runge–Kutta family k1=f(tn,yn)k_1 = f(t_n, y_n), k2=f(tn+ch, yn+chk1)k_2 = f(t_n + ch,\ y_n + chk_1), yn+1=yn+h[(1−12c)k1+12ck2]y_{n+1} = y_n + h\left[\left(1 - \dfrac{1}{2c}\right)k_1 + \dfrac{1}{2c}k_2\right] has one free parameter c>0c > 0. For the pure-quadrature equations y′=g(t)y' = g(t), one step integrates gg over [tn,tn+h][t_n, t_n + h]. For which cc is the step exact for every quadratic polynomial gg? Express your answer as a common fraction.