BASIC NUMERICAL METHODS

LECTURE-11

on

NEWTON’S BACKWARD DIFFERENCE

OPERATOR (CO3)

Newton’s Backward difference operator 1 / 15

Table of Contents

1 Newton’s Backward Interpolation

Introduction
Numerical Problem Based on Newton’s Backward Difference
Formula

2 References

Newton’s Backward difference operator 2 / 15

Newton’s Backward Interpolation

Suppose that the function y = f (x) is tabulated at equally spaced

points x0 , x1 , x2 , ....., xn with step size h and having values
y0 , y1 , y2 , ....yn , at these points i.e

Newton’s Backward difference operator 3 / 15

Newton’s Backward Interpolation

Suppose that the function y = f (x) is tabulated at equally spaced

points x0 , x1 , x2 , ....., xn with step size h and having values
y0 , y1 , y2 , ....yn , at these points i.e

xi = x0 + ih,

and
yi = f (xi ) = f (x0 + ih), i = 0, 1, 2, ..., n

Newton’s Backward difference operator 3 / 15

Newton’s Backward Interpolation

Suppose that the function y = f (x) is tabulated at equally spaced

points x0 , x1 , x2 , ....., xn with step size h and having values
y0 , y1 , y2 , ....yn , at these points i.e

xi = x0 + ih,

and
yi = f (xi ) = f (x0 + ih), i = 0, 1, 2, ..., n
Let Pn (x) be a polynomial of the degree n taking the same values of
f (x) corresponding to points x0 , x1 , x2 , .., xn

Newton’s Backward difference operator 3 / 15

Newton’s Backward Interpolation

Suppose that the function y = f (x) is tabulated at equally spaced

points x0 , x1 , x2 , ....., xn with step size h and having values
y0 , y1 , y2 , ....yn , at these points i.e

xi = x0 + ih,

and
yi = f (xi ) = f (x0 + ih), i = 0, 1, 2, ..., n
Let Pn (x) be a polynomial of the degree n taking the same values of
f (x) corresponding to points x0 , x1 , x2 , .., xn i.e.

yi = f (xi ) = Pn (xi ), i = n, n − 1, n − 2, ..., 1, 0.

Newton’s Backward difference operator 3 / 15

Cont...

Let Pn (x) = a0 + a1 (x − xn ) + a2 (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ... + an , for some

constants a0 , a1 , ...., an to be determined as follows:
For i = n

Newton’s Backward difference operator 4 / 15

Cont...

Let Pn (x) = a0 + a1 (x − xn ) + a2 (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ... + an , for some

constants a0 , a1 , ...., an to be determined as follows:
For i = n

yn = Pn (xn ) = a0 + 0 ⇒ a0 = yn .

Newton’s Backward difference operator 4 / 15

Cont...

Let Pn (x) = a0 + a1 (x − xn ) + a2 (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ... + an , for some

constants a0 , a1 , ...., an to be determined as follows:
For i = n

yn = Pn (xn ) = a0 + 0 ⇒ a0 = yn .
For i = n − 1

Newton’s Backward difference operator 4 / 15

Cont...

Let Pn (x) = a0 + a1 (x − xn ) + a2 (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ... + an , for some

constants a0 , a1 , ...., an to be determined as follows:
For i = n

yn = Pn (xn ) = a0 + 0 ⇒ a0 = yn .
For i = n − 1

yn−1 = Pn (xn−1 ) = a0 + (xn−1 − xn )a1 + 0

Newton’s Backward difference operator 4 / 15

Cont...

Let Pn (x) = a0 + a1 (x − xn ) + a2 (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ... + an , for some

constants a0 , a1 , ...., an to be determined as follows:
For i = n

yn = Pn (xn ) = a0 + 0 ⇒ a0 = yn .
For i = n − 1

yn−1 = Pn (xn−1 ) = a0 + (xn−1 − xn )a1 + 0

⇒ yn−1 = yn + (xn−1 − xn )a1

Newton’s Backward difference operator 4 / 15

Cont...

Let Pn (x) = a0 + a1 (x − xn ) + a2 (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ... + an , for some

constants a0 , a1 , ...., an to be determined as follows:
For i = n

yn = Pn (xn ) = a0 + 0 ⇒ a0 = yn .
For i = n − 1

yn−1 = Pn (xn−1 ) = a0 + (xn−1 − xn )a1 + 0

⇒ yn−1 = yn + (xn−1 − xn )a1
yn − yn−1 ∇yn
⇒ a1 = = .
xn − xn−1 h

Newton’s Backward difference operator 4 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

yn−2 = Pn (xn−2 ) = a0 + (xn−2 − xn )a1 + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

yn−2 = Pn (xn−2 ) = a0 + (xn−2 − xn )a1 + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2

∇yn
= yn + (xn−2 − xn ) + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2
h

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

yn−2 = Pn (xn−2 ) = a0 + (xn−2 − xn )a1 + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2

∇yn
= yn + (xn−2 − xn ) + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2
h
∇yn
= yn − 2h + (−2h).(−h).a2
h

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

yn−2 =Pn (xn−2 ) = a0 + (xn−2 − xn )a1 + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2

∇yn
= yn + (xn−2 − xn ) + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2
h
∇yn
= yn − 2h + (−2h).(−h).a2
h
⇒ 2h2 a2 = yn−2 − yn + 2∇yn

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

yn−2 =Pn (xn−2 ) = a0 + (xn−2 − xn )a1 + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2

∇yn
= yn + (xn−2 − xn ) + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2
h
∇yn
= yn − 2h + (−2h).(−h).a2
h
⇒ 2h2 a2 = yn−2 − yn + 2∇yn
⇒ 2h2 a2 = yn−2 − yn + 2yn − 2yn−1

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

yn−2 =Pn (xn−2 ) = a0 + (xn−2 − xn )a1 + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2

∇yn
= yn + (xn−2 − xn ) + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2
h
∇yn
= yn − 2h + (−2h).(−h).a2
h
⇒ 2h2 a2 = yn−2 − yn + 2∇yn
⇒ 2h2 a2 = yn−2 − yn + 2yn − 2yn−1
yn − 2yn−1 + yn−2
⇒ a2 =
2h2

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

For i = n − 2

yn−2 =Pn (xn−2 ) = a0 + (xn−2 − xn )a1 + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2

∇yn
= yn + (xn−2 − xn ) + (xn−2 − xn )(xn−1 − xn )a2
h
∇yn
= yn − 2h + (−2h).(−h).a2
h
⇒ 2h2 a2 = yn−2 − yn + 2∇yn
⇒ 2h2 a2 = yn−2 − yn + 2yn − 2yn−1
yn − 2yn−1 + yn−2
⇒ a2 =
2h2
∇2 yn
⇒ a2 = .
2h2

Newton’s Backward difference operator 5 / 15

Cont...

Thus preceding in this way we get, for i = k

Newton’s Backward difference operator 6 / 15

Cont...

Thus preceding in this way we get, for i = k

∇k yn
ak = , k = 0, 1, 2, ...., n.
k !hk

Newton’s Backward difference operator 6 / 15

Cont...

Thus preceding in this way we get, for i = k

∇k yn
ak = , k = 0, 1, 2, ...., n.
k !hk
Therefore, we get

∇yn ∇2 yn
y = f (x) = Pn (x) = yn + (x − xn ) + (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ..
h 2!h2
∇n yn
... + (x − xn )(x − xn−1 )...(x − x0 ) . (1)
n!hn

Newton’s Backward difference operator 6 / 15

Cont...

Thus preceding in this way we get, for i = k

∇k yn
ak = , k = 0, 1, 2, ...., n.
k !hk
Therefore, we get

∇yn ∇2 yn
y = f (x) = Pn (x) = yn + (x − xn ) + (x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) + ..
h 2!h2
∇n yn
... + (x − xn )(x − xn−1 )...(x − x0 ) . (1)
n!hn
This is known as Newton’s backward interpolation formula.

Newton’s Backward difference operator 6 / 15

Cont...

Let us take x = xn + ph, p < 0 then we obtain

x − xn = ph

Newton’s Backward difference operator 7 / 15

Cont...

Let us take x = xn + ph, p < 0 then we obtain

x − xn = ph
x − xn−1 = (x − xn−1 ) + (xn−1 − xn )
= ph + h
= h(p + 1)

Newton’s Backward difference operator 7 / 15

Cont...

Let us take x = xn + ph, p < 0 then we obtain

x − xn = ph
x − xn−1 = (x − xn−1 ) + (xn−1 − xn )
= ph + h
= h(p + 1)

Therefore

(x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) = ph.h(p + 1) = h2 p(p + 1).

Newton’s Backward difference operator 7 / 15

Cont...

Let us take x = xn + ph, p < 0 then we obtain

x − xn = ph
x − xn−1 = (x − xn−1 ) + (xn−1 − xn )
= ph + h
= h(p + 1)

Therefore

(x − xn )(x − xn−1 ) = ph.h(p + 1) = h2 p(p + 1).

Similarly

(x − xn )(x − xn−1 )...(x − x0 ) = hn p(p + 1)....(p + (n − 1)),

Newton’s Backward difference operator 7 / 15

Cont...

Using the these values in equation (1), we get

Newton’s Backward difference operator 8 / 15

Cont...

Using the these values in equation (1), we get

p(p + 1) 2
yp = y (xn + ph) = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ...
2!
p(p + 1)....(p + (n − 1)) n
... + ∇ yn .
n!

Newton’s Backward difference operator 8 / 15

Cont...

Using the these values in equation (1), we get

p(p + 1) 2
yp = y (xn + ph) = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ...
2!
p(p + 1)....(p + (n − 1)) n
... + ∇ yn .
n!
This is also known as Newton’s backward interpolation formula and
can be used to interpolate the function for values of −1 < p < 0.

Newton’s Backward difference operator 8 / 15

Numerical Problem
Example: Given the following data:

x 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

f (x) 1.40 1.56 1.76 2.00 2.28

Newton’s Backward difference operator 9 / 15

Numerical Problem
Example: Given the following data:

x 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

f (x) 1.40 1.56 1.76 2.00 2.28

Using backward difference interpolation find the value of function at

x = 0.35.

Newton’s Backward difference operator 9 / 15

Numerical Problem
Example: Given the following data:

x 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

f (x) 1.40 1.56 1.76 2.00 2.28

Using backward difference interpolation find the value of function at

x = 0.35.
Solution:

xn f (xn ) ∇f (xn ) ∇2 f (xn ) ∇3 f (xn ) ∇4 f (xn )

0.1 1.40 0.16 0.04 0.0 0.0
0.2 1.56 0.20 0.04 0.0
0.3 1.76 0.24 0.04
0.4 2.00 0.28
0.5 2.28

Newton’s Backward difference operator 9 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 0.35 we use xn = 0.4(just
after the value 0.35)

Newton’s Backward difference operator 10 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 0.35 we use xn = 0.4(just
after the value 0.35) and h = 0.1, therefore

x − xn 0.35 − 0.4
p= = = −0.5.
h 0.1

Newton’s Backward difference operator 10 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 0.35 we use xn = 0.4(just
after the value 0.35) and h = 0.1, therefore

x − xn 0.35 − 0.4
p= = = −0.5.
h 0.1
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!

Newton’s Backward difference operator 10 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 0.35 we use xn = 0.4(just
after the value 0.35) and h = 0.1, therefore

x − xn 0.35 − 0.4
p= = = −0.5.
h 0.1
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!

p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn ) + ∇ f(
2! 3!

Newton’s Backward difference operator 10 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 0.35 we use xn = 0.4(just
after the value 0.35) and h = 0.1, therefore

x − xn 0.35 − 0.4
p= = = −0.5.
h 0.1
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!

p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn ) + ∇ f(
2! 3!
1
f (0.35) = f (0.4) + (−0.5)∇f (0.4) + (−0.5)(0.5)∇2 f (0.4)
2

Newton’s Backward difference operator 10 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 0.35 we use xn = 0.4(just
after the value 0.35) and h = 0.1, therefore

x − xn 0.35 − 0.4
p= = = −0.5.
h 0.1
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!

p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn ) + ∇ f(
2! 3!
1
f (0.35) = f (0.4) + (−0.5)∇f (0.4) + (−0.5)(0.5)∇2 f (0.4)
2
= 2.0 − (0.5)(0.24) − (0.125)(0.04)

Newton’s Backward difference operator 10 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 0.35 we use xn = 0.4(just
after the value 0.35) and h = 0.1, therefore

x − xn 0.35 − 0.4
p= = = −0.5.
h 0.1
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!

p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn ) + ∇ f(
2! 3!
1
f (0.35) = f (0.4) + (−0.5)∇f (0.4) + (−0.5)(0.5)∇2 f (0.4)
2
= 2.0 − (0.5)(0.24) − (0.125)(0.04)
= 1.875.
Newton’s Backward difference operator 10 / 15
Cont...
Example: Given the following data:

x 40 50 60 70 80 90
f (x) 204 224 246 270 296 324

Newton’s Backward difference operator 11 / 15

Cont...
Example: Given the following data:

x 40 50 60 70 80 90
f (x) 204 224 246 270 296 324

Using backward difference interpolation find the value of function at

x = 84.

Newton’s Backward difference operator 11 / 15

Cont...
Example: Given the following data:

x 40 50 60 70 80 90
f (x) 204 224 246 270 296 324

Using backward difference interpolation find the value of function at

x = 84.
Solution: The backward difference table

xn f (xn ) ∇f (xn ) ∇2 f (xn ) ∇3 f (xn ) ∇4 f (xn ) ∇5 f (xn )

40 204 20 2 0 0 0
50 224 22 2 0 0
60 246 24 2 0
70 270 26 2
80 296 28
90 324

Newton’s Backward difference operator 11 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 84 we use xn = 90(just
after the value 84)

Newton’s Backward difference operator 12 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 84 we use xn = 90(just
after the value 84) and h = 10, therefore

x − xn 84 − 90
p= = = −0.6.
h 10

Newton’s Backward difference operator 12 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 84 we use xn = 90(just
after the value 84) and h = 10, therefore

x − xn 84 − 90
p= = = −0.6.
h 10
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!

Newton’s Backward difference operator 12 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 84 we use xn = 90(just
after the value 84) and h = 10, therefore

x − xn 84 − 90
p= = = −0.6.
h 10
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!
 
p(p + 1) 2
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn )
2!

Newton’s Backward difference operator 12 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 84 we use xn = 90(just
after the value 84) and h = 10, therefore

x − xn 84 − 90
p= = = −0.6.
h 10
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!
 
p(p + 1) 2
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn )
2!
1
f (84) = f (90) + (−0.6)∇f (90) + (−0.6)(0.4)∇2 f (90)
2

Newton’s Backward difference operator 12 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 84 we use xn = 90(just
after the value 84) and h = 10, therefore

x − xn 84 − 90
p= = = −0.6.
h 10
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!
 
p(p + 1) 2
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn )
2!
1
f (84) = f (90) + (−0.6)∇f (90) + (−0.6)(0.4)∇2 f (90)
2
= 324 − (0.6)(28) − (0.24)(2)

Newton’s Backward difference operator 12 / 15

Cont...
Here to calculate the value of function at x = 84 we use xn = 90(just
after the value 84) and h = 10, therefore

x − xn 84 − 90
p= = = −0.6.
h 10
Now using backward interpolation formula, we obtain

 
p(p + 1) 2 p(p + 1)(p + 2) 3
yp = yn + p∇yn + ∇ yn + ∇ yn
2! 3!
 
p(p + 1) 2
f (x) = f (xn ) + p∇f (xn ) + ∇ f (xn )
2!
1
f (84) = f (90) + (−0.6)∇f (90) + (−0.6)(0.4)∇2 f (90)
2
= 324 − (0.6)(28) − (0.24)(2)
= 306.96.
Newton’s Backward difference operator 12 / 15
Unsolved Problems

The table given below gives the distance in nautical miles of a visible
horizon of the given heights in feet above the earth surface

x(heights) 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

y (distance) 10.63 13.03 15.04 16.81 18.42 19.90 21.27

Find the value when x = 218 ft and x = 410 ft.

Newton’s Backward difference operator 13 / 15

References

M. K. Jain, S. R. K. Iyengar and R. K. Jain, Numerical Methods for

Scientific and Engineering Computation, 6th Ed., New Age
International, New Delhi, 2014.
R. S. Gupta, Elements of Numerical Analysis, 2nd Ed., Cambridge
University Press, 2015.
C.F. Gerald and P.O. Wheatley, Applied Numerical Analysis, 7th Ed.,
Pearson Education, 2004.

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Newton’s Backward difference operator 15 / 15