The initial value problem y’ = x2+y2with y(0) = l is solved using both numerical and analytical methods namely (i) a fourth order Runge‐Kutta numerical scheme, (ii) the Taylor‐Maclaurin series solution, (iii) Picard's successive integration, (iv) a transformation method, and (v) an ad hoc successive approximation. It is found that both the Taylor‐Maclaurin and Picard solutions are unsatisfactory for values of x larger than a half. The transformation method shows that the solution should tend to infinity as x tends to one. This is confirmed by the ad hoc successive approximation method. The numerical scheme is found to be satisfactory even for values of x fairly close to one.