Category:Definitions/Finite Element Method

This category contains definitions related to the finite element method.
Related results can be found in Category:Finite Element Method.

The finite element method is a technique for approximating the solution to a partial differential equation with boundary conditions over a given domain $D$.

$D$ is partitioned into elements, typically:

triangles for a $2$-dimensional domain

tetrahedra for a $3$-dimensional domain.

On each element the solution is approximated by an appropriate function, usually a polynomial of small degree.

The coefficients that define the polynomials are chosen to satisfy a best approximation criterion