This book offers a thorough and systematic examination of theoretical and computational aspects of least-squares finite element methods. The range of topics spans formal mathematical analysis and framework for least squares methods, application of this framework to concrete partial differential equations and discussion of the computational properties of the methods.

The abstract least-squares framework will help readers navigate the realm of least-squares methods while the many numerical examples provide a valuable practical guide to these methods. Most of the necessary background material is contained in several appendices.

Chapter summaries and detailed illustrations are included . Graduate students and computational science researchers will find this book useful.