The Bernstein approximation problem is to determine whether or not the space of all polynomials is dense in a given weighted ${C}_{0} $-space on the real line. A theorem of de Branges characterizes non-density by existence of an entire function of Krein class being related with the weight in a certain way. An analogous result holds true for weighted sup-norm approximation by entire functions of exponential type at most $\tau $ and bounded on the real axis ($\tau \gt 0$ fixed).

We consider approximation in weighted ${C}_{0} $-spaces by functions belonging to a prescribed subspace of entire functions which is solely assumed to be invariant under division of zeros and passing from $F(z)$ to $ \overline{F( \overline{z} )} $, and establish the precise analogue of de Branges’ theorem. For the proof we follow the lines of de Branges’ original proof, and employ some results of Pitt.

Eventual positivity problems for real convergent Maclaurin series lead to density questions for sets of harmonic functions. These are solved for large classes of series, and in so doing, asymptotic estimates are obtained for the values of the series near the radius of convergence and for the coefficients of convolution powers.