KNS2723 Numerical methods and statistics

Exercise 3
1. Use Newton’s interpolating polynomial to determine y at x = 3.5 to the best possible accuracy.

2. Given the data

(a) Calculate f (3.4) using Newton’s interpolating polynomials of order 1 through 3. Choose
the sequence of the points for your estimates to attain the best possible accuracy. That is, the
points should be centered around and as close as possible to the unknown.
(b) Repeat (a) but use the Lagrange polynomial.

3. Table below lists values for dissolved oxygen concentration in water as a function of
temperature and chloride concentration.
(a) Use quadratic and cubic interpolation to determine the oxygen concentration for T = 12 °C
and c = 10 g/L.
(b) Use linear interpolation to determine the oxygen concentration for T = 12 °C and c = 15
g/L.
(c) Repeat (b) but use quadratic interpolation.

4. Note that the values in the table were generated with the function f (x) = x2/(1 + x2).
(a) Determine the correct value analytically.
(b) Use quadratic interpolation and the quadratic formula to determine the value numerically.
5. The following data for the density of nitrogen gas versus temperature come from a table that
was measured with high precision. Use first- through third-order polynomials to estimate the
density at a temperature of 330 K. What is your best estimate?

6. Temperatures are measured at various points on a heated plate as tabulated below. Estimate
the temperature at
(a) x = 4, y = 3.2, and (b) x = 4.3, y = 2.7.