We construct bivariate polynomial approximations of the Lerch function that for certain specialisations of the variables and parameters turn out to be Hermite--Pad\'e approximants either of the polylogarithms or of Hurwitz zeta functions. In the former case, we recover known results, while in the latter the results are new and generalise some recent works of Beukers and Pr\'evost. Finally, we make a detailed comparison of our work with Beukers'. Such constructions are useful in the arithmetical study of the values of the Riemann zeta function at integer points and of the Kubota--Leopold $p$-adic zeta function.

Estimating the degree of approximation in the uniform norm, of a convex function on a finite interval, by convex algebraic polynomials, has received wide attention over the last twenty years. However, while much progress has been made especially in recent years by, among others, the authors of this article, separately and jointly, there have been left some interesting open questions. In this paper we give final answers to all those open problems. We are able to say, for each $r$th differentiable convex function, whether or not its degree of convex polynomial approximation in the uniform norm may be estimated by a Jackson-type estimate involving the weighted Ditzian-Totik $k$th modulus of smoothness, and how the constants in this estimate behave. It turns out that for some pairs $(k,r)$ we have such estimate with constants depending only on these parameters. For other pairs the estimate is valid, but only with constants that depend on the function being approximated, while there are pairs for which the Jackson-type estimate is, in general, invalid.

Bivariate polynomials with a fixed leading term $x^m y^n$, which deviate least from zero in the uniform or $L^2$-norm on the unit disk $D$ (resp. a triangle) are given explicitly. A similar problem in $L^p$, $1 \le p \le \infty$, is studied on $D$ in the set of products of linear polynomials.

Positive, copositive, onesided and intertwining (co-onesided) polynomial and spline approximations of functions $f\in\Wp^k\mll$ are considered. Both uniform and pointwise estimates, which are exact in some sense, are obtained.