Determination of error in interpolating polynomial

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the determination of error in interpolating polynomials, specifically in the context of multivariate functions. Participants are exploring the theorem related to the error term in the interpolation of a function defined on a two-dimensional grid of points, seeking to understand and prove the associated mathematical expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a theorem regarding the error in interpolating polynomials for functions of two variables, expressing a need for proof or references.
  • Another participant suggests looking into the multivariate Taylor expansion or a multidimensional version of the intermediate value theorem as potential starting points for the proof.
  • There is confusion regarding the notation used in the theorem, particularly how the term involving the derivative of the function relates to the product of the polynomial terms.
  • A later reply indicates that the formula is a consequence of the multivariate Taylor expansion, prompting a question about the participant's knowledge of Taylor's theorem for functions of two variables.
  • One participant mentions finding an explanation in a book but notes that it lacks concrete steps, indicating a struggle to derive the necessary details for the proof.
  • Another participant provides a rephrasing of the Taylor expansion for two variables and suggests that the actual formulas and steps are in their book, which is not in English, recommending a search for the multidimensional version of Taylor's theorem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the proof or the interpretation of the theorem. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the correct approach and notation.

Contextual Notes

Participants express limitations in their resources and understanding, with some relying on texts not available in English. The discussion highlights the complexity of the mathematical concepts involved and the need for clarity in notation and definitions.

MAXIM LI
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Help needed
Professor showed this result in the lecture without giving any proof (after proving the existence of the interpolating polynomial in two variables). I've been trying to prove it myself or find a book where is proved but I failed. This is the theorem:

Let
$$ x_0 < x_1 < \cdots < x_n \in [a, b], \quad y_0 < y_1 < \cdots < y_m \in [c, d],$$

$$ M = \{ (x_i, y_j) : 0 \leq i \leq n, 0 \leq j \leq m \}, \quad f \in \mathcal{C}^{m + n + 2}([a,b] \times [c,d]), $$

$$ p \in \Pi_{n, m} : p(x_i, y_j) = f(x_i, y_j) \quad \forall 0 \leq i \leq n, 0 \leq j \leq m. $$

Then, for all ##(x, y) \in (x_0, x_n) \times (y_0, y_m)## there exist ##\xi, \xi' \in (x_0, x_n), \eta, \eta' \in (y_0, y_m)## such that
$$ f(x, y) - p(x, y) = \frac{1}{(n + 1)!} \frac{\partial^{n + 1} f(\xi, y)}{\partial x^{n + 1}} \prod_{i = 0}^n (x - x_i) $$
$$ + \frac{1}{(m + 1)!} \frac{\partial^{m + 1} f(x, \eta)}{\partial y^{m + 1}} \prod_{j = 0}^m (y - y_j) $$
$$ - \frac{1}{(n + 1)! (m + 1)!} \frac{\partial^{n + m + 2} f(\xi', \eta')}{\partial x^{n + 1} \partial y^{m + 1}} \prod_{i = 0}^n (x - x_i) \prod_{j = 0}^m (y - y_j) $$

I appreciate any kind of help, even if it is only from where could I start the proof.

Edit 1 (clarification):

$$ \Pi_{n, m} = \{ p(x, y) = \sum_{i = 0}^n \sum_{j = 0}^m a_{i,j} x^i y^j : a_{i, j} \in \mathbb{R} \quad \forall 0 \leq i \leq n, 0 \leq j \leq m \} $$
 
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On a quick view, I would look for the multivariate Taylor and see how far I get, or a multidimensional version of an intermediate value theorem possibly applied to a double induction along ##n## and ##m.##

However, I haven't done any of it, it's just ideas.
 
Help?
 
MAXIM LI said:
Help?
I had hoped that you would have started the calculations, especially as ##f(\xi,y)## occurs on the right side of ##\dfrac{\partial^{n+1} f(\xi,y)}{\partial^{n+1} x}## which makes the term
$$
\dfrac{\partial^{n+1} f(\xi,y)}{\partial^{n+1} x}\prod_{i=0}^n(x-x_i)
$$
confusing and I have to guess whether this means
$$
f(\xi,y)\cdot\dfrac{\partial^{n+1} }{\partial^{n+1} x}\prod_{i=0}^n(x-x_i)
$$

Anyway, your formula is a direct consequence of the multivariate Taylor expansion, here the bivariate version in two variables. Of course, I could type what my textbook says and use very likely a different notation than your textbook uses, so let me instead directly ask you what you know about Taylor's theorem for functions ##f\, : \,\mathbb{R}^2\longrightarrow \mathbb{R}\;##?
 
fresh_42 said:
I had hoped that you would have started the calculations, especially as ##f(\xi,y)## occurs on the right side of ##\dfrac{\partial^{n+1} f(\xi,y)}{\partial^{n+1} x}## which makes the term
$$
\dfrac{\partial^{n+1} f(\xi,y)}{\partial^{n+1} x}\prod_{i=0}^n(x-x_i)
$$
confusing and I have to guess whether this means
$$
f(\xi,y)\cdot\dfrac{\partial^{n+1} }{\partial^{n+1} x}\prod_{i=0}^n(x-x_i)
$$

Anyway, your formula is a direct consequence of the multivariate Taylor expansion, here the bivariate version in two variables. Of course, I could type what my textbook says and use very likely a different notation than your textbook uses, so let me instead directly ask you what you know about Taylor's theorem for functions ##f\, : \,\mathbb{R}^2\longrightarrow \mathbb{R}\;##?

I've found a explanation in this book in chapter 6 section 6, but it doesn't explain the concrete steps and I'm managing to figure them out.
 
I do not have this book and it needs a lot of notation to write down what I have. It all is a rephrasing of the Taylor expansion for two variables
$$
f((x+\xi,y+\eta))=\sum_{|\alpha|\leq k} \dfrac{D^\alpha f(x,y)}{\alpha!} (\xi,\eta)^\alpha +\sum_{|\alpha|= k+1} \dfrac{D^\alpha f((x,y)+\vartheta (\eta,\xi) )}{\alpha!} (\xi,\eta)^\alpha
$$
From there it is a few steps to
$$
f((x+\xi,y+\eta))=f(x,y)+\bigl\langle \nabla f((x,y))\, , \,(\xi,\eta) \bigr\rangle +\dfrac{1}{2}\sum_{i,j=1}^2 \dfrac{\partial^i }{\partial x^i}\dfrac{\partial^j}{\partial x^j}f((x,y))\cdot (\xi^i,\eta^j)+o\left(\|(\xi,\eta)\|^2\right)
$$
Now set ##\xi=x_i-x## and ##\eta=y_i-y## and the derivatives become the coefficients ##a_{i,j}## of the three homogenous polynomials of degree ##0,1,## and ##2.##
The actual formulas and the steps between them are in my book which is unfortunately not in English. Hence my recommendation is to search for the multi- or at least two-dimensional version of Taylor's theorem and what happens if you only consider the first three terms up to degree two.

https://teaching.smp.uq.edu.au/scims/Num_analysis/Taylor.html
is an example I found on searching "multidimensional Taylor series".
 
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