Semidiscrete least squares methods for linear hyperbolic systems

Some approximate methods for solving linear hyperbolic systems are presented and analyzed. The methods consist of discretizing with respect to time and solving the resulting hyperbolic system for fixed time by least squares finite element methods. An analysis of least squares approximations is given, including optimal order estimates for piecewise polynomial approximation spaces. Numerical results for the inviscid Burgers' equation are also presented. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.