On determinant representations of Hermite-Padé polynomials (Q6631379)

The authors study the `classical' Hermite-Padé approximants and polynomials of Type I and Type II (\textit{Latin} resp. \textit{German} polynomials were the phrases coined in the seminal paper [Compos. Math. 19, 95--166 (1968; Zbl 0168.31303)] by \textit{K. Mahler}).\N\NThe layout of the paper is as follows\N\N{Introduction} (\(1\) page)\N\NSketches the historical developments of these polynomials and their uses in many, very different, parts of Mathematics. Interesting problems have been posed, specifically the problems of finding necessary and sufficient conditions for existence and unicity (up to a multiplicative factor) of these polynomials.\N\NThey refer to the important monograph by \textit{E. M. Nikishin} et al. [Rational approximations and orthogonality. Transl. from the Russ. by Ralph P. Boas. Transl. ed. by S. Gelfand. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society (1991; Zbl 0733.41001)], where the problems A, B, C and D were introduced. The paper under review establish citeria for the Hermite-\N\NPadé problems A and B.\N\N{\S1. Hermite-Padé polynomials of the second type} (\(6\frac{1}{2}\) pages)\N\NContains the problem formulation (it would take too much text and formulae to give all definitions and concepts within the place alloted to a mere review). \N\NIn {Theorem 8} a necessary and sufficient condition for a unique solution to Problem A is given.\N\N{\S2. Hermite-Padé polynomials of the first type} (\(7\) pages)\N\NFormulation of problem B, followed by its solution in {Theorem 15}.\N\NMoreover, very interesting results are given that give a connection between the concept `perfect with respect to Problem A' and `perfect with respect to Problem B' for a system of functions (a set of, say \(k\in\mathbb{N}_{+}\) functions) and its `extended' system.\N\N{References} (\(34\) items)\N\NTo really grasp the interest of the results given here for simultaneous approximation in the Hermite-Padé setting, I strongly advice the interested researcher to study the paper thoroughly.