A new operational matrix of Caputo fractional derivatives of Fermat polynomials: an application for solving the Bagley-Torvik equation

Abstract

Herein, an innovative operational matrix of fractional-order derivatives (sensu Caputo) of Fermat polynomials is presented. This matrix is used for solving the fractional Bagley-Torvik equation with the aid of tau spectral method. The basic approach of this algorithm depends on converting the fractional differential equation with its initial (boundary) conditions into a system of algebraic equations in the unknown expansion coefficients. The convergence and error analysis of the suggested expansion are carefully discussed in detail based on introducing some new inequalities, including the modified Bessel function of the first kind. The developed algorithm is tested via exhibiting some numerical examples with comparisons. The obtained numerical results ensure that the proposed approximate solutions are accurate and comparable to the analytical ones.