Suppose that an S_8 method is to be used to solve the neutron transport equation in one dimension instead of an S_4 method.
How many more discrete angles will have to be used at each mesh point in this case?
From the equations we presented earlier, the number of ordinates (discrete angular directions) in a one-dimensional S_N method varies as N²/4 + N, where N is the order of the method. Hence, in one dimension, an S_8 method will require N²/4 + N separate ordinates. If N = 8, this is a total of 24 ordinates. From our previous discussion, this is a total of three times more ordinates than S_4 method (N = 4) uses