Universal Finite Element Matrices for Tetrahedra

Methods are described for forming finite element matrices for a wide variety of operators on tetrahedral finite elements, in a manner similar to that previously employed for line segments and triangles. This technique models the differentiation and product-embedding operators as rectangular matrices, and produces finite element matrices by replacing all required analytic operations by their finite matrix analogues. The method is illustrated by deriving the conventional matrix representation for Laplace's equation. Brief computer programs are given, which generate universal finite element matrices for use in various application