On the solution of nonlinear two-point boundary value problems on successively refined grids

The solution of nonlinear two-point boundary value problems by adaptive finite difference methods ordinarily proceeds from a coarse to a fine grid. Grid points are inserted in regions of high spatial activity and the coarse grid solution is then interpolated onto the finer mesh. The resulting nonlinear difference equations are often solved by Newton's method. As the size of the mesh spacing becomes small enough. Newton's method converges with only a few iterations. In this paper we derive an estimate that enables us to determine the size of the critical mesh spacing that assures us that the interpolated solution for a class of two-point boundary value problems will lie in the domain of convergence of Newton's method on the next finer grid. We apply the estimate in the solution of several model problems.