English

Rational functions with maximal radius of absolute monotonicity

Numerical Analysis 2019-02-20 v1

Abstract

We study the radius of absolute monotonicity R of rational functions with numerator and denominator of degree s that approximate the exponential function to order p. Such functions arise in the application of implicit s-stage, order p Runge-Kutta methods for initial value problems and the radius of absolute monotonicity governs the numerical preservation of properties like positivity and maximum-norm contractivity. We construct a function with p=2 and R>2s, disproving a conjecture of van de Griend and Kraaijevanger. We determine the maximum attainable radius for functions in several one-parameter families of rational functions. Moreover, we prove earlier conjectured optimal radii in some families with 2 or 3 parameters via uniqueness arguments for systems of polynomial inequalities. Our results also prove the optimality of some strong stability preserving implicit and singly diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta methods. Whereas previous results in this area were primarily numerical, we give all constants as exact algebraic numbers.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1303.6651,
  title  = {Rational functions with maximal radius of absolute monotonicity},
  author = {Lajos Loczi and David I. Ketcheson},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1303.6651},
  year   = {2019}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T23:48:45.778Z