[en] The angular distribution of electrons which are elastically backscattered from a surface has been studied by a method similar to the S_n method in reactor physics. The electrons were assumed to have a normal incidence on the plane surface of a semi-infinite medium. Calculations were performed on aluminium, copper and gold at 1 keV electron energy. The differential cross sections were taken in analytical form from the literature. It was found that at least 48 directional cosines are needed for good accuracy. The results for the albedo and the reflected angular distribution were compared to Monte Carlo calculations with very good agreement. (orig.) (7 refs., 2 figs.)