The approximation of functions of several variables continues to be a difficult problem in scientific computing because many of the algorithms required for such problems have yet to be written. This monograph is written for a broad audience of computational mathematicians and statisticians concerned with the development of algorithms or the derivation of approximations from linear projections, of which the interpolating operators are an important example. As an aid to both researchers and students, a bibliography of more than 200 titles is included.

This book introduces general theory by presenting the most important facts on multivariate interpolation, quadrature, orthogonal projections and their summation, all treated under a constructive view, and embedded in the theory of positive linear operators. On this background, the book builds the first comprehensive introduction to the theory of generalized hyperinterpolation. Several parts of the book are based on rotation principles, which are presented in the beginning of the book.

Self-contained presentation of multivariate approximation from classical linear approximation to contemporary nonlinear approximation.

Approximation theory in the multivariate setting has many applications including numerical analysis, wavelet analysis, signal processing, geographic information systems, computer aided geometric design and computer graphics. This advanced introduction to multivariate approximation and related topics consists of nine articles written by leading experts surveying many of the new ideas and their applications. Each article takes the reader to the forefront of research and ends with a comprehensive bibliography.

Topics in Multivariate Approximation contains the proceedings of an international workshop on multivariate approximation held at the University of Chile in Santiago, Chile, on December 15-19, 1986. Leading researchers in the field discussed several problem areas related to multivariate approximation and tackled topics ranging from multivariate splines and fitting of scattered data to tensor approximation methods and multivariate polynomial approximation. Numerical grid generation and finite element methods were also explored, along with constrained interpolation and smoothing. Comprised of 22 chapters, this book first describes the application of Boolean methods of approximation in combination with the theory of right invertible operators to bivariate Fourier expansions. The reader is then introduced to ill-posed problems in multivariate approximation; interpolation of scattered data by radial functions; and shape-preserving surface interpolation. Subsequent chapters focus on approximation by harmonic functions; numerical generation of nested series of general triangular grids; triangulation methods; and inequalities arising from best local approximations in rectangles. A bibliography of multivariate approximation concludes the book. This monograph will be of interest to mathematicians.

The Third International Symposium on Hultivariate Approximation Theory was held at the Oberwolfach!1athematical Research Insti tute, Black Forest, February 8-12, 1982. The preceding conferen ces on this topic were held in 1976* and 1979**. The conference brought together 50 mathematicians from 14 coun tries. These Proceedings form arecord of most of the papers pre sented at the Symposium. The topics treated cover different problems on multivariate approximation theory such as new results concerning approxima tion by polynomials in Sobolev spaces, biorthogonal systems and orthogonal series of functions in several variables, multivariate spline functions, group theoretic and functional analytic methods, positive linear operators, error estimates for approximation procedures and cubature formulae, Boolean methods in multivari ate interpolation and the numerical application of summation procedures. Special emphasis was posed on the application of multivariate approximation in various fields of science. One mathematician was sorely missed at the Symposium. Professor Arthur Sard who had actively taken part in the earlier conferen ces passed away in August of 1980. Since he was a friend of many of the participants, the editors wish to dedicate these Procee dings to the memory of this distinguished mathematician. Abrief appreciation of his life and mathematical work appears as well *"Constructive Theory of Functions of Several Variables". Edited by w. Schempp and Karl Zeller. Lecture Notes in 1-1athematics, Vol

Nineteen contributions cover recent topics in constructive approximation on varieties, approximation by solutions of partial differential equations, application of Riesz bases and frames, multiwavelets and subdivision. An essential resource for researchers and graduates in applied mathematics, computer science and geophysics who are interested in the state-of-the-art developments in multivariate approximation.