Positive bases in spaces of polynomials

Abstract

For a nonempty compact set D of R we determine the maximal possible dimension of a subspace X of polynomial functions of degree at most m which possesses a positive bases (where positivity is understood on D). The exact value of this maximal dimension depends on topological features of the base set D. We show that at many cases dimension m can be achieved.Whereas only for low m or finite sets D it is possible to have m+1 (the full dimension of the space of polynomials of degree at most m) dimensional subspace X with positive basis. Therefore, it turns out that for no D it is possible to have a positive basis of the polynomial space of degree at most m for all m in N.