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Glossary: Finite Element Method (FEM)

 
 
A means to approximate partial differential equation (PDE) discretizations (discrete counterparts transferred – with some amount of error – from continuous functions, models, variables and equations) with numerical model equations in order to break down large problems into simpler finite elements that can be solved via numerical methods.
 
 

FEM breaks a large, complicated problem into smaller, simpler parts called "finite elements". These elements are connected at points called nodes, and together they form a mesh. Studying a phenomenon with FEM is known as finite element analysis (FEA).

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