No label defined (Q3973820)

[For the entire collection see Zbl 0722.00033.] This is a survey of methods for solving the Dirichlet and Neumann problems for Laplace's equation in three dimensions. It opens with a short introduction which contains some general references, a statement of the problem and a brief outline of the contents of the paper. The second section is devoted essentially to Green's third theorem and its use in setting up integral equations for the solution of the two basic boundary value problems. The author distinguishes between direct methods, in which the unknown function or its normal derivative is to be found on the boundary, and indirect methods where the solution is represented by means of a density function on the boundary. Interior and exterior problems are considered which lead to Fredholm integral equations of the first or second kinds. There is some discussion of the effect of smooth and piecewise smooth boundaries on the equation. The section ends with comments on the application of the methods to the solution of Poisson's equation. The next is devoted to a description of numerical methods for the solution of boundary integral equations. These include both global and piecewise forms of Galerkin's method. This is followed by a more abstract section in which the work of Nedelec and Wendland is described. The problems are set in the general framework of elliptic pseudo-differential operators. There is some discussion on integral equations of the first kind. Results on error estimates for the solution by Galerkin's method are given. The section ends with a consideration of collocation methods, again with error estimates. The implementation of Galerkin's method involves numerical integration, usually the most expensive part of this method of solution. The author now turns his attention to this problem, and in particular to the numerical calculation of those integrals whose integrands contain an integrable singularity. The final section is devoted to a description of multi-grid methods for the solution of the linear algebraic equations which will arise. A two- grid method is examined in detail. An extensive list of refences/bibliography concludes this most useful survey of one of the flourishing research areas of the present time by an expert in the field.