Modified affine arithmetic is more accurate than centered interval arithmetic or affine arithmetic

Abstract

In this paper we give mathematical proofs of two new results relevant to evaluating algebraic functions over a box-shaped region: (i) using interval arithmetic in centered form is always more accurate than standard affine arithmetic, and (ii) modified affine arithmetic is always more accurate than interval arithmetic in centered form. Test results show that modified affine arithmetic is not only more accurate but also much faster than standard affine arithmetic. We thus suggest that modified affine arithmetic is the method of choice for evaluating algebraic functions, such as implicit surfaces, over a box. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.