Rational approximation with locally geometric rates (Q1385390)

The authors consider the behavior of the minimal deviation \(\rho_{n,n} (f)\) in best approximation of a function \(f\) by rational functions with numerator and denominator degree equal to \(n\) on \([-1,1]\). In particular, they investigate the rate of convergence of \(\{\rho_{n,n} (f)\}\) for functions \(f\) from two specific classes. The first of these classes consists of piecewise analytic functions, the second one is a generalization of it, denoted after Gonchar and Szabados. In the paper, sequences of rational approximants are constructed, which are in a certain sense best possible, and it is shown that the order of convergence of the minimal deviations is essentially better than in the polynomial case. Some ideas used in the paper build on the famous work by D. J. Newman.