Scattered Data Interpolation and Applications: A Tutorial and Survey

Abstract

The multivariate scattered data interpolation problem is introduced and the reasons for the difficulty of the problem compared to the one dimensional case are discussed. Basic ideas for interpolation (or approximation) of scattered data are introduced. Various types of data sets and some strategies for dealing with some of them are given. Readily available algorithms for the solution of the problem are discussed and suitability for various types of data, along with discussion of situations where they have been useful is given. Some related ideas are briefly mentioned. Throughout there are bountiful references to the existing literature.