SKEDSOFT

The nth divided difference using all the data values in the table, is defined as

....................1.3

The n_th divided difference can also be expressed in terms of the ordinates f_i. The denominators of the terms are same as the denominators of the Lagrange fundamental polynomials.

The divided differences can be written in a tabular form as in Table 1.1

Example:    Find the second divided difference of f(x) = 1/x, using the points a, b, c.

Solution:  We have