Formalization of Bernstein Polynomials and Applications to Global Optimization

This paper presents a formalization in higher-order logic of a practical representation of multivariate Bernstein polynomials. Using this representation, an algorithm for finding lower and upper bounds of the minimum and maximum values of a polynomial has been formalized and verified correct in the Prototype Verification System (PVS). The algorithm is used in the definition of proof strategies for formally and automatically solving polynomial global optimization problems.