DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES

Tel No.: 053 565 0600 (loc 1070)
Telefax: +63 53 563 7067
Email: @vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

Introduction

There are a variety of alternative forms for expressing an interpolating polynomial. Newton’s divided-difference
interpolating polynomial is among the most popular and useful forms. Before presenting the general equation,
we will introduce the first and second order versions because of their simple visual interpretation. You will
frequently have occasion to estimate intermediate values between precise data points. The most common
method used for this purpose is polynomial interpolation.

Linear interpolation equation

𝐹1 (𝑥) − 𝐹0 (𝑥) 𝐹1 (𝑥) − 𝐹0 (𝑥)
=
𝑥 − 𝑥0 𝑥1 − 𝑥0
Quadratic interpolation equation
F(x) =𝑏0 +𝑏1 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 ) + 𝑏2 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 )( 𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝐹(𝑥1 ) − 𝐹(𝑥0 )
𝑏1 =
𝑥1 − 𝑥0
𝐹(𝑥2 ) − 𝐹(𝑥1 ) 𝐹(𝑥1 ) − 𝐹(𝑥0 )
−
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 𝑥1 − 𝑥0
𝑏2 =
𝑥2 − 𝑥0
Problem

Formulate an equation of the temperature with respect to its thickness and interpolate the maximum
temperature using Newton’s divided difference interpolating polynomial in linear and quadratic form. The rate
of heat generation in a slab of thickness 160mm k=180 𝑊⁄𝑚˚𝑐 is 1.2x106 𝑊⁄ 3 if the temperature of each of
𝑚
the surface of solid is 120˚c.

Given:

L = 160mm = 0.16m
Q = 1.2x106 𝑊⁄ 3
𝑚
K = 180 𝑊⁄𝑚˚𝑐
𝑡1 = 𝑡2 =120˚c

Figure 1

Solving for equation

𝑄
Equation of temperature at given thickness,𝑡 = (𝐿 − 𝑥)𝑥 + 𝑡1 .
2𝑘

Temperature at x = 0.08m
 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Tel No.: 053 565 0600 (loc 1070)
Telefax: +63 53 563 7067
Email: @vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

1.2x106 𝑊⁄ 3
𝑚 (0.16𝑚
𝑡= − 0.08 m) 0.08m +.120˚c
2(180 𝑊⁄𝑚˚𝑐)

t = 141.33˚c

Temperature at x = 0.04m

1.2x106 𝑊⁄ 3
𝑚 (0.16𝑚
𝑡= − 0.04 m) 0.04m +.120˚c
2(180 𝑊⁄𝑚˚𝑐 )
t = 136˚c
Temperature at x = 0.12m
1.2x106 𝑊⁄ 3
𝑚 (0.16𝑚
𝑡= − 0.12 m) 0.12m +.120˚c
2(180 𝑊⁄𝑚˚𝑐 )
t = 136˚c

Table 1 thickness and temperature let t = y

x y
0 120˚c
0.04m 136˚c
0.08m 141.33˚c
0.12m 136˚c
0.16m 120˚c

Figure 2
For given graph equate a function using parabola vertex at (0.08m, 141.33 ˚c) and y- intercept at = 120˚c
Equation of parabola at vertex h, k y = a(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘.
y = a(𝒙 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖)𝟐 + 𝟏𝟒𝟏. 𝟑𝟑
y= 120 & x = 0
y = a(𝑥 − 0.08)2 + 141.33
120 = a(0 − 0.08)2 + 141.33
a = -3,332.8125
 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Tel No.: 053 565 0600 (loc 1070)
Telefax: +63 53 563 7067
Email: @vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

Solving for the function equation.

a = -3,332.8125 & vertex at (0.08, 141.33)
y = (-3,332.8125)(𝑥 − 0.08)2 + 141.33
y = -3,332.8125𝑥 2 + 533.25𝑥 + 120

F(x) = -3,332.8125𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝟑𝟑. 𝟐𝟓𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐𝟎

Function of the temperature and thickness generated.

Linear Interpolation using Newton’s divided difference interpolating polynomial.

Linear Interpolation
Maximum temperature using heat generation.
1.2x106 𝑊⁄ 3
𝑚 (0.16𝑚
𝑡= − 0.08 m) 0.08m +.120˚c = 141.33˚c
2(180 𝑊⁄𝑚˚𝑐 )
y = -3,332.8125𝑥 2 + 533.25𝑥 + 120

Interpolate for maximum temperature using the generated function of

F(x) = -3,332.8125𝑥 2 + 533.25𝑥 + 120.
x = 0.04
F (0.04) = -3,332.8125(0.04)2 + 533.25(0.08) + 120
F (0.04) = 135.9975

x = 0.07
F (0.07) = -3,332.8125(0.07)2 + 533.25(0.07) + 120
F (0.07) = 140.99672

x = 0.10
F (0.10) = -3,332.8125(0.10)2 + 533.25(0.10) + 120
F (0.10) = 139.996875

Linear interpolation equation

𝐹1 (𝑥) − 𝐹0 (𝑥) 𝐹1 (𝑥) − 𝐹0 (𝑥)
=
𝑥 − 𝑥0 𝑥1 − 𝑥0
𝐹1 (𝑥) − 𝐹0 (𝑥)
𝐹1 (𝑥) = 𝐹0 (𝑥) + (𝑥 − 𝑥0 )
𝑥1 − 𝑥0
𝑥0 = 0.04 , 𝑥1 = 0.10 , x=0.08
𝐹0 (𝑥) = 135.9975 , 𝐹1 (𝑥) = 139.996875
Interpolate F (0.08) between 0.04 & 0.10
139.996875 − 135.9975
𝐹(0.08) = 135.9975 + (0.08 − 0.04)
0.10 − 0.04
𝑭(𝟎. 𝟎𝟖) = 𝟏𝟑𝟖. 𝟔𝟔𝟑𝟓 @ Between 0.04 & 0.10

Interpolate F (0.08) between 0.07& 0.10

𝑥0 = 0.07 , 𝑥1 = 0.10 , x=0.08
 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Tel No.: 053 565 0600 (loc 1070)
Telefax: +63 53 563 7067
Email: @vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

𝐹0 (𝑥) = 140.99672 , 𝐹1 (𝑥) = 139.996875

139.996875 − 140.99672
𝐹(0.08) = 140.99672 + (0.08 − 0.07)
0.10 − 0.07
𝑭(𝟎. 𝟎𝟖) = 𝟏𝟒𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝟑𝟒 @ Between 0.07 & 0.10

Solving for relative error:

True value using heat generation equation y = 141.33 & x = 0.08
Between 0.04 & 0.10
141.33−138.6635
𝜀𝑡 = 𝑥100% = 1.88672%
141.33
𝜺𝒕 = 1.88672% error @ linear between 0.04 & 0.10

Between 0.07 & 0.10

141.33−140.6634
𝜀𝑡 = 𝑥100%= 0.47166%
141.33
𝜺𝒕 = 0.47166% error @ linear between 0.07 & 0.10
Figure 3 represent the linear
Interpolation of F (0.08) as true
Value of F (0.08) = 141.33.

Figure 3

Quadratic Interpolation using Newton’s divided difference interpolating polynomial.

Quadratic Interpolation

Equation involve in interpolation using quadratic.

F(x) =𝑏0 +𝑏1 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 ) + 𝑏2 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 )( 𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝐹(𝑥1 ) − 𝐹(𝑥0 )
𝑏1 =
𝑥1 − 𝑥0
𝐹(𝑥2 ) − 𝐹(𝑥1 ) 𝐹(𝑥1 ) − 𝐹(𝑥0 )
−
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 𝑥1 − 𝑥0
𝑏2 =
𝑥2 − 𝑥0
 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Tel No.: 053 565 0600 (loc 1070)
Telefax: +63 53 563 7067
Email: @vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

Table 2 thickness & temperature

x F(x)
𝑥0 = 0.04 𝐹(𝑥0 )=135.9975
𝑥1 = 0.10 𝐹(𝑥1 )=139.996875
𝑥2 = 0.07 𝐹(𝑥2 )=140.996875

𝑏0 = 135.9975
139.996875 − 135.9975
𝑏1 =
0.10 − 0.04
𝐛𝟏 = 𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟓𝟔𝟐𝟓
140.996875 − 139.996875 139.996875 − 135.9975
−
𝑏2 = 0.07 − 0.10 0.10 − 0.04
0.07 − 0.04
𝐛𝟐 = −𝟑, 𝟑𝟑𝟐. 𝟗𝟖𝟔𝟏𝟏𝟏

F (0.08) =135.9975+66.65625(0.08 − 0.04) + (−3,332.986111)(0.08 − 0.04)( 0.08 − 0.10 )

F (0.08) =141.3301389 @ Quadratic interpolation

Solving for relative error:

Solving for relative error:
True value using heat generation equation y = 141.33 & x = 0.08

141.33 − 141.3301389
𝜀𝑡 = 𝑥100%
141.33
𝜺𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟗𝟖𝟐% @ Quadratic Interpolation

Table 3 Relative errors of interpolation

True value Linear interpolation Quadratic interpolation
Tmax = 141.33˚c 1.88672% error @ between 0.04 0.0000982%
& 0.10
Tmax =141.33˚c 0.47166% error @ between 0.07 0.0000982%
& 0.10
 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Tel No.: 053 565 0600 (loc 1070)
Telefax: +63 53 563 7067
Email: @vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

Figure 4
Conclusion & Recommendation

For using linear interpolation on a certain function that is non-linear see figure 4 that the value of the
interpolated value at first value and second value will have a huge effect on the result of the interpolation, But
using such linear interpolation on a quadratic function has much yield of errors, recommendation’s on this case
study is used the exact method in solving such function as see on figure 4 quadratic functions has an acceptable
error in determining the maximum temperatures on a plane wall that has a heat generation on the material.

Reference

Numerical Methods For engineering 7th Edition by, Steven C. Chapra Berger Chair in Computing and
Engineering, Tufts University and Raymond P. Canale Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering University of
Michigan

Lecture notes from Engineer Andrew F. Merafuentes DME

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
Tel No.: 053 565 0600 (loc 1070)
Telefax: +63 53 563 7067
Email: @vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph