On the approximation to solutions of operator equations by the least squares method

Abstract

We consider the equation $Au = f$, where $A$ is a linear operator with compact inverse in a Hilbert space. For the approximate solution $u_n$ of this equation by the least squares method in a coordinate system that is an orthonormal basis of eigenvectors of a self-adjoint operator $B$ similar to $A \ ({\mathcal{D}} (A) = {\mathcal{D}} (B))$, we give a priori estimates for the asymptotic behavior of the expression $R_n = \|Au_n - f\|$ as $n \to \infty$. A relationship between the order of smallness of this expression and the degree of smoothness of the solution $u$ with respect to the operator $B$ (direct and converse theorems) is established.