A combined scheme of finite elements and finite differences (Q1122963)

Two-dimensional boundary value problems for the Laplace equation in a ring-like region are considered. The differential equation is written first in polar coordinates and then reformulated in terms of a dimensionless radial variable. An approximate solution is assumed as the sum of products of functions of the radial and the angular variables, for which a partial Galerkin technique with respect to the radial direction is applied, whereas a difference approximation is used in the angular direction. The simple method has some disadvantages that are mentioned.