A unified framework for the discretization of nonlinear operator equations

A general theory for the discretization of non-linear operator equations is presented. A given operator with certain continuity and compactness properties is approximated by a sequence of operators acting in different spaces, usually finite dimensional. Connection maps, such as restriction and interpolation, relate the spaces. The abstract convergence theory is formulated in terms of metric spaces. Specializations and applications to differential and integral equations involve normed linear spaces. The case with the same setting for the original and approximate problems was treated in [1]. For typical problems, both types of discretization methods are available. They are related by means of the connection maps.