Fourth kind Chebyshev Wavelet Method for the solution of multi-term variable order fractional differential equations

PurposeMulti-term variable-order fractional differential equations (VO-FDEs) are powerful tools in accurate modeling of transient-regime real-life problems such as diffusion phenomena and nonlinear viscoelasticity. In this paper the Chebyshev polynomials of the fourth kind is employed to obtain a numerical solution for those multi-term VO-FDEs.Design/methodology/approachTo this end, operational matrices for the approximation of the VO-FDEs are obtained using the Fourth kind Chebyshev Wavelets (FKCW). Thus, the VO-FDE is condensed into an algebraic equation system. The solution of the system of those equations yields a coefficient vector, the coefficient vector in turn yields the approximate solution.FindingsSeveral examples that we present at the end of the paper emphasize the efficacy and preciseness of the proposed method.Originality/valueThe value of the paper stems from the exploitation of FKCWs for the numerical solution of multi-term VO-FDEs. The method produces accurate results even for relatively small collocation points. What is more, FKCW method provides a compact mapping between multi-term VO-FDEs and a system of algebraic equations given in vector-matrix form.