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  "body": "\n## Summary\n\nA spline is a function made of polynomial pieces on consecutive intervals.\nThe pieces are joined at points called knots, so that the whole function is as smooth as the pieces allow.\nA spline of degree $n$ is usually required to have $n - 1$ continuous derivatives.\nSplines combine the flexibility of piecewise functions with the simplicity of polynomials, and they avoid the oscillations of high-degree polynomial interpolation.\nThey are central in [[spline interpolation|D59HBKKRP9]], in approximation theory and in computer-aided design, where [[B-splines|62AFX32JGT]] give a convenient basis.\n\n## Explanations\n\n### L1 human\n\nThe name comes from the thin flexible strips of wood that draftsmen bent through fixed pegs to draw smooth curves.\nA mathematical spline does the same with polynomial pieces: each piece is simple, and the pieces meet without corners or jumps in bending.\nThe simplest example is a broken line, a spline of degree $1$: straight pieces joined continuously.\nCubic splines use pieces of degree $3$ joined so that position, slope and curvature all match.\nThe [[definition|KTVJR95GSF]] makes the conditions precise.\n",
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