Question

Shape function is just a ___________

(a) Displacement function

(b) Equation

(c) Interpolation function

(d) Matrix function

This question was posed to me in an interview.

This is a very interesting question from One Dimensional Problems in division One Dimensional Problems of Finite Element Method

Answer 1

The correct option is (c) Interpolation function

For explanation I would say: The shape function is the function which interpolates the solution between the discrete values obtained at the mesh nodes. Low order polynomials are typically chosen as shape functions. Interpolation within the shape functions is achieved through shape functions.