Approximate homotopy similarity reduction for the generalized Kawahara equation via Lie symmetry method and direct method

This paper studies the generalized Kawahara equation in terms of the approximate homotopy symmetry method and the approximate homotopy direct method. Using both methods it obtains the similarity reduction solutions and similarity reduction equations of different orders, showing that the approximate homotopy direct method yields more general approximate similarity reductions than the approximate homotopy symmetry method. The homotopy series solutions to the generalized Kawahara equation are consequently derived.