A simple analysis of some a posteriori error estimates (Q1379042)

Two popular classes of a posteriori error estimates are analyzed within the abstract framework established by \textit{I. Babuška} and \textit{A. K. Aziz} [Math. Found. finite Elem. Method Appl. part. differ. Equations, Sympos. Univ. Maryland, Baltimore 1972, 1-359 (1972; Zbl 0268.65052)]. Within this framework, the author finds that bounds for a posteriori error estimates depend on several of the same constants as a priori error estimates, notably the famous inf-sup constant. The general theory is then applied to some specific finite element approximations for the Poisson equation and Stokes equations.