ABSTRACT
In this chapter difference schemes for the simplest time-dependent equations are studied, namely, for the heat conduction equation with one or more spatial variables, the one-dimensional transfer equation and the equation of vibrations of a string. Two-layer and three-layer schemes are designed for the first, second and third boundary-value problems. Stability is investigated by different methods such as the method of separation of variables and the method of energy inequalities as well as by means of the maximum principle. Asymptotic stability of difference schemes is discovered for the heat conduction equation in ascertaining the viability of difference approximations. Finally, stability theory is being used, increasingly, to help us understand a variety of phenomena, so it seems worthwhile to discuss it in full details.
