Pointwise and global estimate for approximation by rational functions with prescribed numerator degree (Q979047)

This study establishes error estimates for best uniform and pointwise approximation of a continuous, real-valued function, \(f\), on the real line. The first theorem approximates a non-negative \(f\) by reciprocals of polynomials of a fixed degree (or less).The second, approximates an \(f\) with \(c\) sign changes by the product of a monic polynomial \(p\) with the reciprocals of a polynomial of a fixed degree (or less) where \(p\) has zeros at the \(c\) sign changes of \(f\). The estimates are technical terms involving the modulus of continuity of \(f\) and functions of the square root of \(1-x\) squared. The stated purpose of the authors is to improve related theorems in the literature by establishing Jackson type estimates which combine pointwise and global estimates a whole.