ME 261: Numerical Analysis

Assignment 1 - Numerical Differentiation

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Problem #01: Find f ′(x) and f ″(x) of the function f(x):

f ( x ) = −0.1x 4 − 0.158 x 3 − 0.5 x 2 − 0.25 x + 12.ABC
at x = 0.5 with a step size of h = 0.25 using
(i) Forward finite-divided-difference formula with an error of O(h2),
(ii) Backward finite-divided-difference formula with an error of O(h2),
(iii) Centered finite-divided-difference formula with an error of O(h4).
Find the accuracy of your results. ABC is the last three digit of your student number. For
example, if you student number is 1610123, then ABC is 123 and the corresponding function
will be
f ( x ) = −0.1x 4 − 0.158 x 3 − 0.5 x 2 − 0.25 x + 12.123

Problem #02: When a fluid flows over a surface, the shear stress τ (N/m2) at the surface is given
by the following expression:
du
 =
dy surface
where viscosity, μ = 0.00024 Pa.s, u is the velocity parallel to the surface (m/s), and y is the
distance normal to the surface (m). Measurements of the velocity of an air stream flowing above
the surface are given in the following table:

y (m) 0.0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

u (m/s) 0.00 45.56 70.16 90.38 100.00

Calculate the shear at the surface (y = 0) based on first-, second-, and third-order accurate
approximations.

Instructions:
1. No late submission will be considered.
2. Use A4 size paper and write on both sides.
3. Assignment should be handwritten. No printed version is allowed.
4. Submission Place and Time: Will be announced later.
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