Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2001/ib/paper-3/6e/solution

Write . If is an interpolation node, the polynomial interpolation error is zero. Otherwise set
The function has distinct zeros: the interpolation nodes and . Repeated Rolle's theorem therefore gives a point strictly between the smallest and largest of these points with . Since and , this yields the polynomial interpolation error
All differentiations are justified by . At an interpolation node the same displayed equality holds with any , because the product is zero.

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