On the existence of the best discrete approximation in norm by reciprocals of real polynomials

For the given data (w_i,x_i,y_i), i=1,…,M, we consider the problem of existence of the best discrete approximation in l_p norm (1≤p<∞) by reciprocals of real polynomials. For this problem, the existence of best approximations is not always guaranteed. In this paper, we give a condition on data which is necessary and sufficient for the existence of the best approximation in l_p norm. This condition is theoretical in nature. We apply it to obtain several other existence theorems very useful in practice. Some illustrative examples are also included.