LAUSR

Abstract In order to investigate the nonlinear fractional Zoomeron equation, we propose three methods, namely the Jacobi elliptic function rational expansion method, the exponential rational function method and the new Jacobi elliptic function expansion method. Many kinds of solutions are obtained and the existence of these solutions is determined. For some parameters, these solutions can degenerate to the envelope shock wave solutions and the envelope solitary wave solutions. A comparison of our new results with the well-known results is made. The methods used here can also be applicable to other nonlinear partial differential equations. The fractional derivatives in this work are described in the modified Riemann–Liouville sense.