Abstract

We introduce the rudiments of fractional calculus and the consequent applications of the Sumudu transform on fractional derivatives. Once this connection is firmly established in the general setting, we turn to the application of the Sumudu transform method (STM) to some interesting nonhomogeneous fractional ordinary differential equations (FODEs). Finally, we use the solutions to form two-dimensional (2D) graphs, by using the symbolic algebra package Mathematica Program 7.

1. Introduction

The Sumudu transform was first defined in its current shape by Watugala as early as 1993, which he used to solve engineering control problems. Although he might have had ideas for it sooner than that (1989) as some conference proceedings showed, he used it to control engineering problems [1, 2]. Later, Watugala extended in 2002 the Sumudu transform to two variables [3]. The first applications to differential equations and inversion formulae were done by Weerakoon in two papers in 1994 and 1998 [4, 5]. The Sumudu transform was also first defended by Weerakoon against Deakin's definition who claimed that there is no difference between the Sumudu and the Laplace and who reminded Weerakoon that the Sumudu transform is really the Carson or the S-multiplied transform disguised [6, 7]. The applications followed in three consecutive papers by Asiru dealing with the convolution-type integral equations and the discrete dynamic systems [8, 9]. At this point, Belgacem et al. using previous references and connections to the Laplace transform extended the theory and the applications of the Sumudu transform in [1017] to various applications. In the meantime, subsequent to exchanges between Belgacem and other scholars, the following papers sprang up in the last decade [1822]. Moreover, the Sumudu transform was also used to solve many ordinary differential equations with integer order [2329]. The application of STM turns out to be pragmatic in getting analytical solution of the fractional ordinary differential equations fast. Notably, implementations of difference methods such as in the differential transform method (DTM), the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) [3033], the variational iteration method (VIM) [3440] empowered us to achieve approximate solutions of various ordinary differential equations. STM [4144] which is newly submitted to the literature is a suitable technique for solving various kinds of ordinary differential equations with fractional order (FODEs). In this sense, it is estimated that this novel approach that is used to solve homogeneous and nonhomogeneous problems will be particularly valuable as a tool for scientists and applied mathematicians.

2. Fundamental Properties of Fractional Calculus and STM

2.1. Fundamental Facts of the Fractional Calculus

Firstly, we mention some of the fundamental properties of the fractional calculus. Fractional derivatives (and integrals as well) definitions may differ, but the most widely used definitions are those of Abel-Riemann (A-R). Following the nomenclature in [45], a derivative of fractional order in the A-R sense is defined by where is a derivative operator here, and

On the other hand, according to A-R, an integral of fractional order is defined by implementing the integration operator in the following manner:

When it comes to some of the fundamental properties of fractional integration and fractional differentiation, these have been introduced to the literature by Podlubny [46]. Among these, we mention

Another main definition of the fractional derivative is that of Caputo [46, 47] who defined it by

A fundamental feature of the Caputo fractional derivative is that [17]

2.2. Fundamental Facts of the Sumudu Transform Method

The Sumudu transform is defined in [1, 2] as follows. Over the set of functions the Sumudu transform of is defined as

Theorem 1. If is the Sumudu transform of , one knows that the Sumudu transform of the derivatives with integer order is given as follows [4649]:

Proof. Let us take the Sumudu transform [4649] of as follows:

Equation (10) gives us the proof of Theorem 1. When we continue in the same manner, we get the Sumudu transform of the second-order derivative as follows [4649]:

If we go on the same way, we get the Sumudu transform of the -order derivative as follows:

Theorem 2. If is the Sumudu transform of , one can take into consideration the Sumudu transform of the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative as follows [17]:

Proof. Let us take the Laplace transform of as follows:
Therefore, when we substitute for , we get the Sumudu transform of fractional order of as follows:

Now, we will introduce the improvement form of STM for solving FODEs. We take into consideration a general linear ordinary differential equation with fractional order as follows: being subject to the initial condition

Then, we will obtain the analytical solutions of some of the fractional ordinary differential equations by using STM. When we take the Sumudu transform of (16) under the terms of (12) and (15), we obtain the Sumudu transform of (16) as follows: where is defined by . When we take the inverse Sumudu transform of (18) by using the inverse transform table in [11, 17], we get the solution of (16) by using STM as follows:

3. Applications of STM to Nonhomogeneous Fractional Ordinary Differential Equations

In this section, we have applied STM to the nonhomogeneous fractional ordinary differential equations as follows.

Example 3. Firstly, we consider the nonhomogeneous fractional ordinary differential equation as follows [50]: With the initial condition being
In order to solve (20) by using STM, when we take the Sumudu transform of both sides of (20), we get the Sumudu transform of (20) as follows:
When we take the inverse Sumudu transform of (22) by using the inverse transform table in [11], we get the analytical solution of (20) by STM as follows:

Remark 4. If we take the corresponding values for some parameters into consideration, then the solution of (20) is in full agreement with the solution of (30) mentioned in [50]. To our knowledge, the analytical solution of FODEs that we find in this paper has been newly submitted to the literature.

Example 5. Secondly, we consider the nonhomogeneous fractional ordinary differential equation as follows [51]: With the initial condition being
In order to solve (24) by using STM, when we take the Sumudu transform of both sides of (24), we get the Sumudu transform of (24) as follows:
When we take the inverse Sumudu transform of (26) by using the inverse transform table in [48], we get the analytical solution of (24) by using STM as follows:

Remark 6. The solution (27) obtained by using the Sumudu transform method for (24) has been checked by the Mathematica Program 7. To our knowledge, the analytical solution that we find in this paper has been newly submitted to the literature.

4. Conclusion and Future Work

Prior to this study, various approaches have been performed to obtain approximate solutions of some fractional differential equations [50, 51]. In this paper, nonhomogeneous fractional ordinary differential equations have been solved by using the Sumudu transform after giving the related formulae for the fractional integrals, the derivatives, and the Sumudu transform of FODEs. The Sumudu technique can be used to solve many types such as initial-value problems and boundary-value problems in applied sciences, engineering fields, aerospace sciences, and mathematical physics. The Sumudu transform method has been used for The discrete fractional calculus in [43]. This technique has been investigated in terms of the double Sumudu transform in [44]. Consequently, this new approach has been implemented with success on interesting fractional ordinary differential equations. As such and pragmatically so, it enriches the library of integral transform approaches. Without a doubt, and based on our findings such as Figures 1 and 2, the STM technique remains direct, robust and valuable tool for solving same fractional differential equations.