By adding a term to the variational equations, we derive a new finite element method for the stationary Stokes equations which eliminates the div u= 0 restriction on the trial functions.

The classical method of least-squares estimation of the coefficients α in the (matrix) equation y = Zα + e yields estimators α̂ = Ay = + Ae. This method, however, employs only one of a class of ...

The same method also works for equations that are not readily factorable. That’s when students turn to the quadratic formula.