This book is an essential tool written to be used as the primary text for an undergraduate or early postgraduate course as well as a reference book for engineers and scientists who want to quickly develop finite-element programs. Regarding the formulation of the finite element method, the book emphasizes the essential unity of all processes of approximation used in the solution of differential equations such as finite differences, finite elements and boundary elements. Computational aspects are presented in Maple. Three Maple packages were specially developed for this book and are included in a companion CD-ROM.

This text provides the reader with a unique insight into the finite element method, along with symbolic programing that fundamentally changes the way applications can be developed. It is an essential tool for undergraduate or early postgraduate courses as well as an excellent reference book for engineers and scientists who want to quickly develop finite-element programs. The use of symbolic computation in Maple system delivers new benefits in the analysis and understanding of the finite element method.