The Galerkin approach

The process of transforming a problem from a differential equation to a weak variational form was established in chapter 6. Now, trial functions and, in particular, the finite element form of trial functions are used with the variational form. The end result does not differ from earlier chapters; the same stiffness matrix and equations are derived, but the means of getting there is different. Once the new background ideas have been accepted, the approach may be seen to be elegant and generally applicable. In progressing through the mathematics the discussion will be: