On the optimal approximation rates for criss-cross finite element spaces (Q793252)

The authors consider the space of all piecewise polynomials of degree k with respect to the criss-cross triangulation \(h\Delta\) (i.e. triangulation obtained using the lines \(x+y=ih\), \(x-y=ih\), \(x=ih\), \(y=ih\), \(i=...,-1,0,1,...\), with \(h>0)\) having continuous partial derivatives of order \(\leq \mu\) in \(R^ 2\). It is shown that the box splines in this space completely govern the approximation properties of the space, and the optimal ''controlled approximation'' rates, when \(\mu\) is the largest degree of smoothness for a given k so that approximation is possible, are determined. In addition, the local linear dependence of the box splines is also studied.