On uniqueness of best \(L_ 1\)-approximation on disjoint intervals (Q910642)

If \(K\) is a compact set of real numbers with at least \(n+2\) points, then it is well known that any real function \(f\) continuous on K has a unique best uniform approximation from the set \(P_ n\) of algebraic polynomials of degree at most \(n\). A classical theorem of Jackson guarantees uniqueness for the case of \(L_ 1\)-approximation if \(K=[-1,1]\). In this paper it is shown that for \(0<\alpha <1\), each f continuous on \([-1,-\alpha]\cup [\alpha,1]\) has a unique best \(L_ 1\)-approximation from \(P_ n\) if and only if n is odd. Interesting further results consider for which pairs \(\{\)a,b\(\}\), \(-1<a<b<1\), each f continuous on \([-1,a]\cup [b,1]\) has a unique best \(L_ 1\)-approximation from \(P_ n\). The implicit function theorem is used and the zeros of the Chebyshev polynomial \(U_{n+1}\) of the second kind play an important role.