Linear Algebra Seminar

Speaker: Ted Kilgore

Title: Lagrange interpolation, the Bernstein-Erdos Conjectures, and an n x (n-1) sign matrix

Abstract: Lagrange interpolation is, among other things, a bounded linear projection operator. The quality of approximation obtained by interpolation is related to the operator norm, and that norm in turn depends on the placement of the nodes of interpolation. An old conjecture of Bernstein, later expanded by Erdos, proposes to characterize the placement of the nodes which will minimize the operator norm.

The method by which these conjectures were affirmatively resolved will be outlined, and a portion of the proof will be presented. In the proof, one must investigate the non-singularity properties of a matrix whose entries are based upon interlacing polynomials. The proof is then completed by investigation of a resulting sign pattern.