Automatic indexed calculation of Wachspress' rational finite element functions (Q1070750)

Considering certain piecewise rational polynomial functions which are continuous, \textit{E. Wachspress} [Lect. Notes Math. 228, 223-252 (1971; Zbl 0229.65019)] has introduced interesting basis or wedge functions which are quite convenient for constructing the corresponding interpolants. The construction of wedge functions, however, depends heavily on algebraic solutions to geometric problems. The author presents in the paper an alternate contruction of both the basis wedge and composite fitting functions that depend only on the indexed computations of linear algebra. Such a computation can be used to construct the general wedge basis functions of Wachspress as well as more general fitting functions over the element.