In this book the author explains cardinal spline functions, the basic properties of B-splines and exponential Euler splines.

As this monograph shows, the purpose of cardinal spline interpolation is to bridge the gap between the linear spline and the cardinal series. The author explains cardinal spline functions, the basic properties of B-splines, including B- splines with equidistant knots and cardinal splines represented in terms of B-splines, and exponential Euler splines, leading to the most important case and central problem of the book-- cardinal spline interpolation, with main results, proofs, and some applications. Other topics discussed include cardinal Hermite interpolation, semi-cardinal interpolation, finite spline interpolation problems, extremum and limit properties, equidistant spline interpolation applied to approximations of Fourier transforms, and the smoothing of histograms.

Requires only a basic knowledge of mathematics and is geared toward the general educated specialists. Includes a gallery of color images and Mathematica code listings.

A spline is a thin flexible strip composed of a material such as bamboo or steel that can be bent to pass through or near given points in the plane, or in 3-space in a smooth manner. Mechanical engineers and drafting specialists find such (physical) splines useful in designing and in drawing plans for a wide variety of objects, such as for hulls of boats or for the bodies of automobiles where smooth curves need to be specified. These days, physi cal splines are largely replaced by computer software that can compute the desired curves (with appropriate encouragment). The same mathematical ideas used for computing "spline" curves can be extended to allow us to compute "spline" surfaces. The application ofthese mathematical ideas is rather widespread. Spline functions are central to computer graphics disciplines. Spline curves and surfaces are used in computer graphics renderings for both real and imagi nary objects. Computer-aided-design (CAD) systems depend on algorithms for computing spline functions, and splines are used in numerical analysis and statistics. Thus the construction of movies and computer games trav els side-by-side with the art of automobile design, sail construction, and architecture; and statisticians and applied mathematicians use splines as everyday computational tools, often divorced from graphic images.

The Theory of Splines and Their Applications discusses spline theory, the theory of cubic splines, polynomial splines of higher degree, generalized splines, doubly cubic splines, and two-dimensional generalized splines. The book explains the equations of the spline, procedures for applications of the spline, convergence properties, equal-interval splines, and special formulas for numerical differentiation or integration. The text explores the intrinsic properties of cubic splines including the Hilbert space interpretation, transformations defined by a mesh, and some connections with space technology concerning the payload of a rocket. The book also discusses the theory of polynomial splines of odd degree which can be approached through algebraically (which depends primarily on the examination in detail of the linear system of equations defining the spline). The theory can also be approached intrinsically (which exploits the consequences of basic integral relations existing between functions and approximating spline functions). The text also considers the second integral relation, raising the order of convergence, and the limits on the order of convergence. The book will prove useful for mathematicians, physicist, engineers, or academicians in the field of technology and applied mathematics.

This textbook is intended to supplement the classical theory of uni- and multivariate splines and their approximation and interpolation properties with those of fractals, fractal functions, and fractal surfaces. This synthesis will complement currently required courses dealing with these topics and expose the prospective reader to some new and deep relationships. In addition to providing a classical introduction to the main issues involving approximation and interpolation with uni- and multivariate splines, cardinal and exponential splines, and their connection to wavelets and multiscale analysis, which comprises the first half of the book, the second half will describe fractals, fractal functions and fractal surfaces, and their properties. This also includes the new burgeoning theory of superfractals and superfractal functions. The theory of splines is well-established but the relationship to fractal functions is novel. Throughout the book, connections between these two apparently different areas will be exposed and presented. In this way, more options are given to the prospective reader who will encounter complex approximation and interpolation problems in real-world modeling. Numerous examples, figures, and exercises accompany the material.

As the field of computer graphics develops, techniques for modeling complex curves and surfaces are increasingly important. A major technique is the use of parametric splines in which a curve is defined by piecing together a succession of curve segments, and surfaces are defined by stitching together a mosaic of surface patches. An Introduction to Splines for Use in Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling discusses the use of splines from the point of view of the computer scientist. Assuming only a background in beginning calculus, the authors present the material using many examples and illustrations with the goal of building the reader's intuition. Based on courses given at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Waterloo, as well as numerous ACM Siggraph tutorials, the book includes the most recent advances in computer-aided geometric modeling and design to make spline modeling techniques generally accessible to the computer graphics and geometric modeling communities.

Subject of multivariate splines presented from an elementary point of view; includes many open problems.