On the best choice of denominators in rational collocation methods for nonlinear problems (Q2277776)

The nonlinear boundary value problem \(T(x,y(x),y'(x),y''(x))=f(x),\) \(x\in [a,b]\), \(y(a)=\alpha\), \(y(b)=\beta\), (where \(T:{\mathbb{R}}^ 4\to {\mathbb{R}}\) and \(\alpha\),\(\beta\in {\mathbb{R}})\) is considered. Rational collocation consists of determining an approximate solution of the form \(u_ n^{(q)}=p/q\), where \(p\in {\mathbb{R}}_{n+1}[x]\) and q is a polynomial or a spline function without zeros in [a,b]. The author studies the problem of choosing a best denominator q. Existence theorems for the best approximants and the best choice for the denominator q are given and a similar result for the practical cases of rational splines is derived. The connection between rational collocation and Padé-type approximation is emphasized.