Multivariate Bernstein polynomials and convexity (Q1183539)

Many properties of a univariate convex function are known to be associated with those of the Bernstein polynomials of the same function. Yet, this often doesn't hold for multivariate functions. The author presents two new conceptions of convexity. One of them is the axial convexity, which is close to the classical definition and suggests a function's convexity along the directions parallel to the unit simplex edges. The second one is the polyhedral convexity which holds that the totality of points, preserving the corresponding property, forms a polyhedral surface. The paper examines the properties of the functions that are convex in the above-stated terms, and their relation to the convexity and monotonicity of Bernstein polynomials. The notion of total polyhedral convexity is introduced as well as the interconnection between these notions.