Scientific Computations on Mathematical Problems and Conjectures

This book studies the use of scientific computation as a tool in attacking a number of mathematical problems and conjectures. In this case, scientific computation refers primarily to computations that are carried out with a large number of significant digits, for calculations associated with a variety of numerical techniques such as the (second) Remez algorithm in polynomial and rational approximation theory, Richardson extrapolation of sequences of numbers, the accurate finding of zeros of polynomials of large degree, and the numerical approximation of integrals by quadrature techniques. The goal of this book is not to delve into the specialized field dealing with the creation of robust and reliable software needed to implement these high-precision calculations, but rather to emphasize the enormous power that existing software brings to the mathematician’s arsenal of weapons for attacking mathematical problems and conjectures.