Math-305, Numerical Methods & Matrices
Section 3.1:   Interpolating Polynomials
Binomial Coefficients and Differences

Dr. Kevin G. TeBeest

 
  1. In class I computed the binomial coefficients when s = 1.2. Recompute those on your own without looking at the formulas for the binomial coefficients.

  2. Suppose s = 0.2. Compute the 1st through 5th binomial coefficients.
    Use the telescopic property of the binomial coefficient to compute these.

    ANSWERS:

    You will need those results in one of the examples.

  3. We saw that   Δf0   =   f1f0.
    1. Show that   Δ2f0   =   f0 – 2 f1 + f2 .    We will need that result in a later topic.
      Does this formula look a little familiar? Where have we seen a formula like this before?    (Hint: revisit Aitken acceleration.)
      Follow-up question:    Based on this result, what is   Δ2f4 ?

    2. Show that   Δ3f0   =   – f0 + 3f1 – 3f2 + f3 .    We will need that result in a later topic.
      Follow-up question:    Based on this result, what is   Δ3f6 ?

    In Problems 3(a,b) we say we are "eliminating the differences" (expressing the differences in terms of just f values).
    We will use this principle in a later chapter.

 

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