Interpolation by Differences

Al Cuoco and Ken Levasseur wrote "Classical Mathematics in the Age of CAS" as part of the NCTM monograph titled Computer Algebra Systems in Secondary School Mathematics Education. Part of that chapter discusses finite differences, computer algebra systems and the high school curriculum. If you or your students are interested in experimenting with difference tables and don't care to do your own programming, you can use this webMathematica page.

First, select the number of data points:

Second, click on this button to set up the input form:

x  f(x)

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Ken Levasseur
Mathematical Sciences
UMass Lowell
Kenneth_Levasseur@uml.edu
UML WebMathematica Scripts