International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences
Volume 20 (1997), Issue 1, Pages 147-163
doi:10.1155/S0161171297000215

Finite difference approximations for a class of nonlocal parabolic equations

Yanping Lin1 , Shuzhan Xu1 and Hong-Ming Yin3

1Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G1, Canada
3Department of Mathematics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame 46556-0398, Indiana, USA

Abstract

In this paper we study finite difference procedures for a class of parabolic equations with non-local boundary condition. The semi-implicit and fully implicit backward Euler schemes are studied. It is proved that both schemes preserve the maximum principle and monotonicity of the solution of the original equation, and fully-implicit scheme also possesses strict monotonicity. It is also proved that finite difference solutions approach to zero as t exponentially. The numerical results of some examples are presented, which support our theoretical justifications.