This accessible introduction offers the keys to an important technique in computational mathematics. It outlines clear connections with applications and considers numerous examples from a variety of specialties. 1987 edition.

Claes Johnson is Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.

Preface to the Dover Edition Preface Introduction Introduction to FEM for elliptic problems Abstract formulation of the finite element method for elliptic problems Some finite element spaces Approximation theory for FEM. Error estimates for elliptic problems Some applications to elliptic problems Direct methods for solving linear systems of equations Minimization algorithms. Iterative methods FEM for parabolic problems Hyperbolic problems Boundary element methods Mixed finite element methods Curved elements and numerical integration References Index