%0 Journal Article %T Pad¨¦ and Hermite-Pad¨¦ Approximation and Orthogonality %A Walter Van Assche %J Surveys in Approximation Theory %D 2006 %I %X We give a short introduction to Pad¨¦ approximation (rational approximation to a function with close contact at one point) and to Hermite-Pad¨¦ approximation (simultaneous rational approximation to several functions with close contact at one point) and show how orthogonality plays a crucial role. We give some insight into how logarithmic potential theory helps in describing the asymptotic behavior and the convergence properties of Pad¨¦ and Hermite-Pad¨¦ approximation. %U http://www.math.technion.ac.il/sat/papers/6/