In
approximation theory
In mathematics, approximation theory is concerned with how functions can best be approximated with simpler functions, and with quantitatively characterizing the errors introduced thereby. Note that what is meant by ''best'' and ''simpler'' wil ...
, a finite collection of points
is often called unisolvent for a space
if any element
is uniquely determined by its values on
.
is unisolvent for
(polynomials in n variables of degree at most m) if there exists a unique
polynomial
In mathematics, a polynomial is an expression consisting of indeterminates (also called variables) and coefficients, that involves only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and positive-integer powers of variables. An ex ...
in
of lowest possible degree which
interpolates the data
.
Simple examples in
would be the fact that two distinct points determine a line, three points determine a parabola, etc. It is clear that over
, any collection of ''k'' + 1 distinct points will uniquely determine a polynomial of lowest possible degree in
.
See also
*
Padua points
External links
Numerical Methods / Interpolation
Approximation theory
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