ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Padé approximant

A Padé approximant is a mathematical tool used to estimate the value of a function in a certain point. It's kind of like guessing the answer to a math problem when you don't have all the information you need. Imagine you are trying to find out what 3 divided by 4 is, but you only know what 1 divided by 4 is. A Padé approximant can help you make a better guess by using some tricky math.

To make a Padé approximant, you first gather some information about the function you want to estimate. You use this information to create a math expression that is like a complicated fraction. The top part of the fraction is made up of some numbers and variables, and the bottom part of the fraction has different numbers and variables.

The nice thing about this fraction is that you can use it to estimate the value of the function in any point you want. All you have to do is plug in the number for that point, and the fraction will give you an answer.

But the best part is that the Padé approximant gives you a pretty good estimate, even if you don't have all the information you need. It's like if you were trying to guess the answer to a math problem, and you didn't know some of the numbers, but you could still use your knowledge of math rules to make a pretty good guess.

Overall, a Padé approximant is a very useful tool for scientists and mathematicians who are trying to estimate the value of a function in a certain point. It helps them make better guesses and get closer to the true answer, even if they don't have all the information they need.