In the mathematical subfield of numerical analysis a spline is a special curve defined piecewise by polynomials. The term spline comes from the flexible spline devices used by shipbuilders and draftsmen to draw smooth shapes.
In interpolating problems, spline interpolation is often preferred to polynomial interpolation because it yields similar results even when using low degree polynomials, thus avoiding Runge's phenomenon.
In curve fitting splines are used to approximate complex shapes. The simplicity of representation and the ease with which a complex spline's shape may be computed make splines popular representations for curves in computer science, predominantly in computer graphics.
Definition
Given k points ti called knots in an interval [a,b] with
a parametric curve
![S:[a,b] \to \mathbb{R}](a/../upload/math/657900f76cf7e30d7258beca0a49f9ad.png)
is called a spline of degree n if
and restricted to each subinterval
In other words on each subinterval or knot span
S is identical to a polynomial of degree n.
S(ti) is called knot value and (ti, S(ti)) is called internal control point. (t0,...,tk-1) is called the knot vector. If the knots are equidistantly distributed in the Interval [a,b] we say the spline is uniform otherwise we say it is non-uniform.
Example
The most simple spline has degree 1. It is also called linear spline and is just a polygon.
Notes
For a given knot vector the splines of degree n form a vector space. A basis for this vector space are the basis B-splines of degree n
History
Before computers were used, numerical calculations were done by hand. Although piecewise-defined functions like the signum function or step function were used, polynomials were generally preferred because they were easier to work with. With the advent of computers splines have gained importance. They were first used as a replacement for polynomials in interpolation, then as a tool to construct smooth and flexible shapes in computer graphics.
See also
External links
Last updated: 05-08-2005 09:38:16
