On analytical solutions of f(R) modified gravity theories in FLRW
  cosmologies
  A novel analytical method for f(R) modified theories without matter in
Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker spacetimes is introduced. The equation of
motion for the scale factor in terms of cosmic time is reduced to the equation
for the evolution of the Ricci scalar R with the Hubble parameter H. The
solution of equation of motion for actions of the form of power law in Ricci
scalar R, is presented with a detailed elaboration of the action quadratic in
R. The reverse use of the introduced method is exemplified in finding
functional forms f(R) which lead to specified scale factor functions. The
analytical solutions are corroborated by numerical calculations with excellent
agreement. Possible further applications to the phases of inflationary
expansion and late-time acceleration as well as f(R) theories with radiation
are outlined.
