Nonnegativity preserving macro-element interpolation of scattered data (Q631019)

New macro elements and algorithms are given in this paper whose purpose is the interpolation of scattered data from a domain in two dimensions. The approximants are two-dimensional piecewise polynomial splines. The interpolation process depends locally on the data which is very important in many applications and also for the theory of approximation orders. Additionally, if the prescribed function values at the scattered data points are nonnegative, it can be arranged by additional conditions that the spline interpolant is also nonnegative everywhere on the two-dimensional domain. The macro elements are based on the Clough-Tocher construction. Not only are the elements constructed and several algorithms provided, but there are also error estimates and convergence orders derived. Examples which illustrate the theory are given at the end of the article.