Advanced Quantum Mechanics

Newton's Interpolation Formulae
As stated earlier, interpolation is the process of approximating a given function, whose
values are known at tabular points, by a suitable polynomial, of degree
which takes the values at for Note that if the given data has
errors, it will also be reflected in the polynomial so obtained.
In the following, we shall use forward and backward differences to obtain polynomial
function approximating when the tabular points 's are equally spaced. Let
where the polynomial is given in the following form:
(11.4.1)
for some constants to be determined using the fact that for
So, for substitute in (11.4.1) to get This gives us
Next,
So, For
or equivalently
Thus, Now, using mathematical induction, we get

Thus,
As this uses the forward differences, it is called NEWTON'S FORWARD DIFFERENCE

FORMULA for interpolation, or simply, forward interpolation formula.
EXERCISE 11.4.1 Show that
and
and in general,
For the sake of numerical calculations, we give below a convenient form of the forward
interpolation formula.
Let then
With this transformation the above forward interpolation formula is simplified to the
following form:
(11.4.2)
If =1, we have a linear interpolation given by
(11.4.3)
For we get a quadratic interpolating polynomial:
(11.4.4)
and so on.
It may be pointed out here that if is a polynomial function of degree then
coincides with on the given interval. Otherwise, this gives only an approximation to
the true values of
If we are given additional point also, then the error, denoted by
is estimated by
Similarly, if we assume, is of the form

then using the fact that we have
Thus, using backward differences and the transformation we obtain the

Newton's backward interpolation formula as follows:
(11.4.5)
EXERCISE 11.4.2 Derive the Newton's backward interpolation formula (11.4.5) for
Remark 11.4.3 If the interpolating point lies closer to the beginning of the interval then
one uses the Newton's forward formula and if it lies towards the end of the interval then
Newton's backward formula is used.
Remark 11.4.4 For a given set of n tabular points, in general, all the n points need not
be used for interpolating polynomial. In fact N is so chosen that forward/backward
difference almost remains constant. Thus N is less than or equal to n.
EXAMPLE 11.4.5
1. Obtain the Newton's forward interpolating polynomial, for the following

tabular data and interpolate the value of the function at
x 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005
y 1.121 1.123 1.1255 1.127 1.128 1.1285
2.
Solution: For this data, we have the Forward difference difference table
0 1.121 0.002 0.0005 -0.0015 0.002 -.0025
.001 1.123 0.0025 -0.0010 0.0005 -0.0005
.002 1.1255 0.0015 -0.0005 0.0
.003 1.127 0.001 -0.0005
.004 1.128 0.0005
.005 1.1285
3. Thus, for where and we get
4.
Thus,
5.
6. Using the following table for approximate its value at Also, find an
error estimate (Note ).

0.70 72 0.74 0.76 0.78
0.84229 0.87707 0.91309 0.95045 0.98926

7. Solution: As the point lies towards the initial tabular values, we shall
use Newton's Forward formula. The forward difference table is:
0.70 0.84229 0.03478 0.00124 0.0001 0.00001
0.72 0.87707 0.03602 0.00134 0.00011
0.74 0.91309 0.03736 0.00145
0.76 0.95045 0.03881
0.78 0.98926
8. In the above table, we note that is almost constant, so we shall attempt

degree polynomial interpolation.
9. Note that gives Thus, using
forward interpolating polynomial of degree we get
10.
11.
12.
An error estimate for the approximate value is
13.
14. Note that exact value of (upto decimal place) is and the
approximate value, obtained using the Newton's interpolating polynomial is very
close to this value. This is also reflected by the error estimate given above.
15. Apply degree interpolation polynomial for the set of values given in Example
11.2.15, to estimate the value of by taking

Also, find approximate value of
Solution: Note that is closer to the values lying in the beginning of
tabular values, while is towards the end of tabular values. Therefore, we
shall use forward difference formula for and the backward difference
formula for Recall that the interpolating polynomial of degree is
given by
Therefore,
1. for and we have This

gives,
2.
3. for and we have

This gives,
4.
Note: as is closer to we may expect estimate
calculated using to be a better approximation.
5. for we use the backward interpolating polynomial, which

gives,
Therefore, taking and we have
This gives,
EXERCISE 11.4.6
1. Following data is available for a function

x 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
y 1.0 0.808 0.664 0.616 0.712 1.0
2. Compute the value of the function at and
3. The speed of a train, running between two station is measured at different

distances from the starting station. If is the distance in from the starting
station, then the speed (in ) of the train at the distance is given by
the following table:
x 0 50 100 150 200 250
v(x) 0 60 80 110 90 0
4. Find the approximate speed of the train at the mid point between the two stations.
5. Following table gives the values of the function at the
different values of the tabular points

x 0 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20
S(x) 0 0.00003 0.00026 0.00090 0.00214 0.00419
6. Obtain a fifth degree interpolating polynomial for Compute and

also find an error estimate for it.
7. Following data gives the temperatures (in ) between 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. on
May 10, 2005 in Kanpur:
Time 8 am 12 noon 4 pm 8pm
Temperature 30 37 43 38
8. Obtain Newton's backward interpolating polynomial of degree to compute the

temperature in Kanpur on that day at 5.00 pm.

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Newton's Interpolation Formulae

As stated earlier, interpolation is the process of approximating a given function, whose

values are known at tabular points, by a suitable polynomial, of degree

where the polynomial is given in the following form:

for some constants to be determined using the fact that for

So, for substitute in (11.4.1) to get This gives us

Thus, Now, using mathematical induction, we get

As this uses the forward differences, it is called NEWTON'S FORWARD DIFFERENCE

If =1, we have a linear interpolation given by

For we get a quadratic interpolating polynomial:

It may be pointed out here that if is a polynomial function of degree then

the true values of

If we are given additional point also, then the error, denoted by

Similarly, if we assume, is of the form

Thus, using backward differences and the transformation we obtain the

1. Obtain the Newton's forward interpolating polynomial, for the following

3. Thus, for where and we get

error estimate (Note ).

0.84229 0.87707 0.91309 0.95045 0.98926

8. In the above table, we note that is almost constant, so we shall attempt

9. Note that gives Thus, using

forward interpolating polynomial of degree we get

11.2.15, to estimate the value of by taking

1. for and we have This

3. for and we have

Note: as is closer to we may expect estimate

calculated using to be a better approximation.

5. for we use the backward interpolating polynomial, which

1. Following data is available for a function

3. The speed of a train, running between two station is measured at different

5. Following table gives the values of the function at the

different values of the tabular points

6. Obtain a fifth degree interpolating polynomial for Compute and

8. Obtain Newton's backward interpolating polynomial of degree to compute the

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