Predictor homotopy analysis method and its application to some nonlinear problems

The purpose of this paper is to present a kind of analytical method so-called Predictor homotopy analysis method (PHAM) to predict the multiplicity of the solutions of nonlinear differential equations with boundary conditions. This method is very useful especially for those boundary value problems which admit multiple solutions and furthermore is capable to calculate all branches of the solutions simultaneously. As illustrative examples, the method is checked by the model of mixed convection flows in a vertical channel and a nonlinear model arising in heat transfer which both admit multiple (dual) solutions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.