Langrange interpolation polynomial and Euclidian division

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the proof of the Euclidean division of a polynomial A by the product polynomial P, defined as P = ∏(X - x_i) for distinct real numbers x_1, ..., x_n. The proof demonstrates that the remainder R of the division satisfies the equation R = Q, where Q = ∑(A(x_i)L_i) and L_i is defined as L_i = ∏(X - x_j) / ∏(x_i - x_j). The conclusion is that since R - Q is divisible by P and has a degree less than that of P, R must equal Q.

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geoffrey159
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Homework Statement


Let ##x_1,...,x_n## be distinct real numbers, and ## P = \prod_{i=1}^n(X-x_i)##.
If for ##i=1...n ##, ##L_i = \frac{\prod_{j \neq i}^n(X-x_j)}{\prod_{j\neq i}(x_i-x_j)}##, show that for any polynomial A (single variable and real coefs), the rest of the euclidian division of A by P is ##\sum_{i=1}^n A(x_i)L_i ##

Homework Equations



## Q = \sum_{i=1}^n A(x_i)L_i ##

The Attempt at a Solution



Hello, could you tell me if my proof is correct please? It seems correct to me but I have a doubt.

Let ##(B,R)## the quotient and the rest of the euclidian division of A by P. We have that ##\text{deg}(R)<\text{deg}(P) = n ##, and ##A = BP+R##.

Since ## Q(x_i) = A(x_i) = R(x_i)##, then for all ##i = 1...n ##, ##(R-Q)(x_i) = 0 ##, so ##X-x_i## divides ##R-Q##
But for ##i\neq j##, ##X-x_i## and ##X-x_j ## are relatively prime and divide ##R-Q##, so ## P | R-Q##.
However, ##\text{deg}(R-Q) \le \max(\text{deg}(R),\text{deg(Q)}) \le n-1 < n =\text{deg}(P) ##, so ## R-Q = 0 ##
 
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Seems perfectly fine to me.
You could formulate it in a marginally more direct way perhaps, e.g. saying A-Q is zero at each x_i, hence it divides P, etc. - but this is equivalent to what you say.
 
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