Rational Approximation with Locally Geometric Rates

Abstract

We investigate the rate of pointwise rational approximation of functions from two classes. The distinguishing feature of these classes is the essentially faster convergence of the best uniform rational approximants versus best uniform polynomial approximants. It is known that for piecewise analytic functions “near best” polynomials converging geometrically fast at every point of analyticity of the function exist. Here we construct rational approximants enjoying similar properties. We also show that our construction yields rates of convergence that are, in a certain sense, best possible.