Discretization is the process of dividing a continuous structure into smaller, finite pieces or elements to simulate the structure on a computer for finite element analysis. The structure is divided into a number of elements that are connected at nodes. The number, shape, size and configuration of elements must closely simulate the real structure, and the discretization must allow results to converge to the true solution. For example, a rectangular slab can be discretized by dividing it into n subdomains, with each subdomain being an element connected to others at nodes to form a finite element mesh.