Solving the equation - u_xx - ∈U_yy = f(x, y, u) by an O(h⁴) finite difference method

The semi-linear equation - u_xx - ∈u_yy = f(x,y,u) with Dirichlet boundary conditions is solved by an O(h⁴) finite difference method, which has local truncation error O(h²) at the mesh points neighboring the boundary and O(h⁴) at most interior mesh points. It is proved that the finite difference method is O(h⁴) uniformly convergent as h → 0. The method is considered in the form of a system of algebraic equations with a nine diagonal sparse matrix. The system of algebraic equations is solved by an implicit iterative method combined with Gauss elimination. A Mathematica module is designed for the purpose of testing and using the method. To illustrate the method, the equation of twisting a springy rod is solved.