Computational aspects of multivariate polynomial interpolation: Indexing the coefficients

An algorithm is derived for generating the information needed to pass efficiently between multi-indices of neighboring degrees, of use in the construction and evaluation of interpolating polynomials and in the construction of good bases for polynomial ideals. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Newton basis for multivariate Birkhoff interpolation

Multivariate Birkhoff interpolation is the most complex polynomial interpolation problem and people know little about it so far. In this paper, we introduce a special new type of multivariate Birkhoff interpolation and present a Newton paradigm for it. Using the algorithms proposed in this paper, we can construct a Hermite system for any interpolation problem of this type and then obtain a Newton basis for the problem w.r.t. the Hermite system.     

On the use of Kronecker's algorithm in the generalized rational interpolation problem

Kronecker's algorithm can be used to solve the generalized rational interpolation problem. In order to present the algorithm, rational forms are used here instead of too restrictive rational fractions. The proposed algorithm is reliable as soon as the functionals that characterize the problem satisfy two precise conditions. These conditions are fulfilled in the modified Hermite rational interpolation problem and, as a consequence, in the special case of the Cauchy problem and of the Padé approximation problem. This reliability covers two properties: on one hand, every rational form resulting from the algorithm is a solution of the problem whereas, on the other hand, every solution of the problem is found by the algorithm (with the exception of a possible reduction of the rational form). However, if the algorithm yields a non-reduced rational form, then the corresponding rational fraction is not a solution of the problem.     

A new formal approach to the rational interpolation problem

Summary An elegant and fast recursive algorithm is developed to solve the rational interpolation problem in a complementary way compared to existing methods. We allow confluent interpolation points, poles, and infinity as one of the interpolation points. Not only one specific solution is given but a nice parametrization of all solutions. We also give a linear algebra interpretation of the problem showing that our algorithm can also be used to handle a specific class of structured matrices.     

A fast algorithm for the multivariate Birkhoff interpolation problem

Multivariate Birkhoff interpolation is the most complicated polynomial interpolation problem and the theory about it is far from systematic and complete. In this paper we derive an Algorithm B-MB (Birkhoff-Monomial Basis) and prove B-MB giving the minimal interpolation monomial basis w.r.t. the lexicographical order of the multivariate Birkhoff problem. This algorithm is the generalization of Algorithm MB in [L. Cerlinco, M. Mureddu, From algebraic sets to monomial linear bases by means of combinatorial algorithms, Discrete Math. 139 (1995) 73-87] which is a well known fast algorithm used to compute the interpolation monomial basis of the Hermite interpolation problem.     

The need for knowledge and reliability in numeric computation: Case study of multivariate Padé approximation

In this paper we review and link the numeric research projects carried out at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Antwerp since 1978. Results have and are being obtained in various areas. A lot of effort has been put in the theoretical investigation of the multivariate Padé approximation problem using different definitions (see Sections 3 and 7). The numerical implementation raises two delicate issues. First, there is the need to see the wood for the trees again: switching from one to many variables greatly increases the number of choices to be made on the way (see Sections 1 and 5). Second, there is the typical problem of breakdown when computing ratios of determinants: the added value of interval arithmetic combined with defect correction turns out to be significant (see Sections 2 and 4). In Section 6 these two problems are thoroughly illustrated and the interested reader is taken by the hand and guided through a typical computation session. On the way some open problems are indicated which motivate us to continue our research mainly in the area of gathering and offering more knowledge about the problem domain on one hand, and improving the arithmetic tools and numerical routines for a reliable computation of the approximants on the other hand.     

A parallel algorithm for discrete least squares rational approximation

Summary A new method for discrete least squares linearized rational approximation is presented. It generalizes the algorithm of Rutishauser-Gragg-Harrod-Reichel for discrete least squares polynomial approximation to the rational case. The algorithm is fast in the sense that it requires orderm computation time wherem is the number of data points and is the degree of the approximant. We describe how this algorithm can be implemented in parallel.     

A nodal spline interpolant for the Gregory rule of even order

Summary The Gregory rule is a well-known example in numerical quadrature of a trapezoidal rule with endpoint corrections of a given order. In the literature, the methods of constructing the Gregory rule have, in contrast to Newton-Cotes quadrature,not been based on the integration of an interpolant. In this paper, after first characterizing an even-order Gregory interpolant by means of a generalized Lagrange interpolation operator, we proceed to explicitly construct such an interpolant by employing results from nodal spline interpolation, as established in recent work by the author and C.H. Rohwer. Nonoptimal order error estimates for the Gregory rule of even order are then easily obtained.     

A recursive method for computing interpolants

In this paper, we describe a recursive method for computing interpolants defined in a space spanned by a finite number of continuous functions in R^d${\mathbb{R}}^d$. We apply this method to construct several interpolants such as spline interpolants, tensor product interpolants and multivariate polynomial interpolants. We also give a simple algorithm for solving a multivariate polynomial interpolation problem and constructing the minimal interpolation space for a given finite set of interpolation points.     

Error bounds for a convexity-preserving interpolation and its limit function

Error bounds between a nonlinear interpolation and the limit function of its associated subdivision scheme are estimated. The bounds can be evaluated without recursive subdivision. We show that this interpolation is convexity preserving, as its associated subdivision scheme. Finally, some numerical experiments are presented.     

On near-best discrete quasi-interpolation on a four-directional mesh

Spline quasi-interpolants are practical and effective approximation operators. In this paper, we construct QIs with optimal approximation orders and small infinity norms called near-best discrete quasi-interpolants which are based on Ω-splines, i.e. B-splines with octagonal supports on the uniform four-directional mesh of the plane. These quasi-interpolants are exact on some space of polynomials and they minimize an upper bound of their infinity norms depending on a finite number of free parameters. We show that this problem has always a solution, in general nonunique. Concrete examples of such quasi-interpolants are given in the last section.     

Lagrange interpolation for continuous piecewise smooth functions

This note is devoted to Lagrange interpolation for continuous piecewise smooth functions. A new family of interpolatory functions with explicit approximation error bounds is obtained. We apply the theory to the classical Lagrange interpolation.     

Transfinite mean value interpolation in general dimension

Mean value interpolation is a simple, fast, linearly precise method of smoothly interpolating a function given on the boundary of a domain. For planar domains, several properties of the interpolant were established in a recent paper by Dyken and the second author, including: sufficient conditions on the boundary to guarantee interpolation for continuous data; a formula for the normal derivative at the boundary; and the construction of a Hermite interpolant when normal derivative data is also available. In this paper we generalize these results to domains in arbitrary dimension.     

Piecewise complementary Lidstone interpolation and error inequalities

The purpose of this paper is to develop piecewise complementary Lidstone interpolation in one and two variables and establish explicit error bounds for the derivatives in L_∞ and L₂ norms.     

Interpolation lattices in several variables

Principal lattices are classical simplicial configurations of nodes suitable for multivariate polynomial interpolation in n dimensions. A principal lattice can be described as the set of intersection points of n + 1 pencils of parallel hyperplanes. Using a projective point of view, Lee and Phillips extended this situation to n + 1 linear pencils of hyperplanes. In two recent papers, two of us have introduced generalized principal lattices in the plane using cubic pencils. In this paper we analyze the problem in n dimensions, considering polynomial, exponential and trigonometric pencils, which can be combined in different ways to obtain generalized principal lattices.We also consider the case of coincident pencils. An error formula for generalized principal lattices is discussed. Partially supported by the Spanish Research Grant BFM2003-03510, by Gobierno de Aragón and Fondo Social Europeo.     

On the bivariate Shepard-Lidstone operators

We propose a new combination of the bivariate Shepard operators (Coman and Trîmbi?a?, 2001 [2]) by the three point Lidstone polynomials introduced in Costabile and Dell’Accio (2005) [7]. The new combination inherits both degree of exactness and Lidstone interpolation conditions at each node, which characterize the interpolation polynomial. These new operators find application to the scattered data interpolation problem when supplementary second order derivative data are given (Kraaijpoel and van Leeuwen, 2010 [13]). Numerical comparison with other well known combinations is presented.     

Lattices on simplicial partitions

In this paper, (d+1)-pencil lattices on simplicial partitions in R^d are studied. The barycentric approach naturally extends the lattice from a simplex to a simplicial partition, providing a continuous piecewise polynomial interpolant over the extended lattice. The number of degrees of freedom is equal to the number of vertices of the simplicial partition. The constructive proof of this fact leads to an efficient computer algorithm for the design of a lattice.     

Lattices on simplicial partitions which are not simply connected

In this paper, (d+1)-pencil lattices on simplicial partitions in R^d, which are not simply connected, are studied. It is shown, how the fact that a partition is not simply connected can be used to increase the flexibility of a lattice. A local modification algorithm is developed also to deal with slight partition topology changes that may appear afterwards a lattice has already been constructed.     

Rational interpolation with a single variable pole

In this paper the necessary and sufficient conditions for given data to admit a rational interpolant in _k,1 with no poles in the convex hull of the interpolation points is studied. A method for computing the interpolant is also provided.Partially supported by DGICYT-0121.