Suppose that x0,x1,…,xn∈[−1,1] are distinct points. Let f be an infinitely differentiable real-valued function on an open interval containing [−1,1]. Let p be the unique polynomial of degree at most n such that f(xr)=p(xr) for r=0,1,…,n. Show that for each x∈[−1,1] there is some ξ∈(−1,1) such that
f(x)−p(x)=(n+1)!f(n+1)(ξ)(x−x0)…(x−xn)
Now take xr=cos2n+22r+1π. Show that
∣f(x)−p(x)∣⩽2n(n+1)!1ξ∈[−1,1]sup∣∣∣∣f(n+1)(ξ)∣∣∣∣
for all x∈[−1,1]. Deduce that there is a polynomial p of degree at most n such that
∣∣∣∣∣3+x1−p(x)∣∣∣∣∣⩽4n+11
for all x∈[−1,1].