Discrete Mixed Petrov-Galerkin Finite Element Method for a Fourth-Order Two-Point Boundary Value Problem

Abstract

A quadrature-based mixed Petrov-Galerkin finite element method is applied to a fourth-order linear ordinary differential equation. After employing a splitting technique, a cubic spline trial space and a piecewise linear test space are considered in the method. The integrals are then replaced by the Gauss quadrature rule in the formulation itself. Optimal order a priori error estimates are obtained without any restriction on the mesh.