Algebraic solution of tropical best approximation problems

We consider discrete best approximation problems formulated and solved in the framework of tropical algebra that deals with semirings and semifields with idempotent addition. Given a set of samples each consisting of input and output of an unknown function defined on an idempotent semifield, the problems are to find a best approximation of the function by tropical Puiseux polynomial and rational functions. A new solution approach is proposed which involves the reduction of the problem of polynomial approximation to best approximate solution of a tropical linear vector equation with an unknown vector on one side (a one-sided equation). We derive a best approximate solution to the one-sided equation end evaluate the inherent approximation error in a direct analytical form. Furthermore, we reduce the rational approximation problem to the best approximate solution of an equation with unknown vectors on both sides (a two-sided equation). A best approximate solution to the two-sided equation is obtained in numerical form by using an iterative alternating algorithm. To illustrate the technique developed, we solve example approximation problems in terms of a real semifield where addition is defined as maximum and multiplication as arithmetic addition (max-plus algebra), which correspond to the best Chebyshev approximation by piecewise linear functions.