Characterization of best algebraic approximation by an algebraic modulus of smoothness (Q1356031)

Denoting by \( x \oplus h \) the weighted addition given by \( x \oplus h = x \sqrt{1-h^2} + \sqrt{1-x^2}h, \forall x, h \in [-1, 1], \) the author considers the difference operator of \( r\) th order of the function \( f: [-1, 1] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}, \) defined by \( \Delta_h^r f = (\Delta_h\circ\ldots\circ\Delta_h)(f), \) (\(r \) times) where \( (\Delta_h f)(x) = f(x\oplus h) - f(x), \forall x, h \in [-1, 1]. \) If \( (X, |\cdot|_X) \) is the space \( C[-1, 1] \) with the sup norm or \( L_\varphi^p[-1, 1], p \in [1,\infty) \) with the norm \( |f|_{p,\varphi} = \left(\int_{-1}^1|f(x)|^p\frac{dx}{\varphi(x)} \right)^{1/p}, \varphi(x) = \sqrt{1-x^2}, \) then one defines the modulus of smoothness of \( f \) by \[ w_\varphi^r(f; \delta)_X = \sup_{|h|\leq\delta} |\Delta_h^rf|_X, \delta \in [0, 1]. \] Some properties of \( w_\varphi^r \) are given. For \( f \in L_\varphi^1[-1, 1] \) the properties of the Steklov function \[ f_h(x) = \frac{1}{\arcsin h}\int_0^h f(x\oplus h)\frac{dt}{\sqrt{ 1-t^2}}, x \in [-1, 1], \] (and of the Steklov functions of higher order) are studied. A \( K-\)functional is also introduced and analysed. The main application of the aforementioned results is the following asymptotic estimation of the order of best approximation of \( f \) by polynomials of degree \( n: \) If \( \alpha \in (0, r) \) then \[ E_n(f)_X = O(n^{-\alpha}), (n\rightarrow\infty) \Leftrightarrow w_\varphi^r(f;\delta)_X = O(\delta^\alpha), (\delta\rightarrow 0). \]