Finite differences versus finite elements for solving nonlinear integro- differential equations (Q579916)

The authors consider the nonlinear integro-differential equation \[ u_ t(x,t)=\int^{t}_{0}a(t-\tau)(\partial /\partial x)\sigma (u_ x(x,\tau))d\tau +f(x,t),\quad 0<x<1,\quad 0<t<T, \] with appropriate initial and boundary conditions. This problem serves as a model for one- dimensional heat flow in materials with memory. The numerical solution via finite elements was discussed by the first author [ibid. 89, 598-611 (1982; Zbl 0488.65074)]. In this paper the authors compare the results obtained there with finite difference approximation from the point of view of accuracy and computer storage.