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Elements of Electromagnetics - Sadiku

The document discusses the finite difference method (FDM) for numerically solving partial differential equations. It states that FDM involves: 1) Dividing the solution region into a grid of nodes 2) Approximating the differential equation and boundary conditions using difference equations at grid points 3) Solving the resulting system of algebraic equations FDM is presented as a simple technique for problems like Laplace's and Poisson's equations that can be solved analytically.

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11K views

Elements of Electromagnetics - Sadiku

The document discusses the finite difference method (FDM) for numerically solving partial differential equations. It states that FDM involves: 1) Dividing the solution region into a grid of nodes 2) Approximating the differential equation and boundary conditions using difference equations at grid points 3) Solving the resulting system of algebraic equations FDM is presented as a simple technique for problems like Laplace's and Poisson's equations that can be solved analytically.

Uploaded by

batman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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15.

3 THE FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD 669

Figure 15.5 For Practice Exercise 15.1.

15.3 THE FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD

The finite difference method1 (FDM) is a simple numerical technique used in solving prob-
lems like those solved analytically in Chapter 6. A problem is uniquely defined by three
things:

1. A partial differential equation such as Laplace's or Poisson's equations


2. A solution region
3. Boundary and/or initial conditions

A finite difference solution to Poisson's or Laplace's equation, for example, proceeds in


three steps: (1) dividing the solution region into a grid of nodes, (2) approximating the dif-
ferential equation and boundary conditions by a set of linear algebraic equations (called
difference equations) on grid points within the solution region, and (3) solving this set of
algebraic equations.

'For an extensive treatment of the finite difference method, see G. D. Smith, Numerical Solution of
Partial Differential Equations: Finite Difference Methods, 2nd edition. Oxford: Clarendon, 1978.

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