Correction of finite element estimates for Sturm-Liouville eigenvalues (Q1073552)

Previous ideas of the authors [ibid. 47, 289-300 (1985; Zbl 0554.65060)] are used to show that a simple asymptotic correction technique of the second author, \textit{F. R. de Hoog} and \textit{R. S. Anderssen} [Computing 26, 123-139 (1981; Zbl 0436.65063)] reduces the error in the estimate of the kth eigenvalue of a regular Sturm-Liouville problem obtained by the finite element method, with linear hat functions and mesh length h, from \(O(k^ 4h^ 2)\) to \(O(kh^ 2)\). The result still holds when the matrix elements are evaluated by Simpson's rule or certain other quadrature rules, but if the trapezoidal rule is used the error is \(O(k^ 2h^ 2)\). Numerical results show that the correction is useful even for low values of k.