Divided differences

In mathematics, divided differences is an algorithm, historically used for computing tables of logarithms and trigonometric functions. Charles Babbage's difference engine, an early mechanical calculator, was designed to use this algorithm in its operation. In mathematics, divided differences is an algorithm, historically used for computing tables of logarithms and trigonometric functions. Charles Babbage's difference engine, an early mechanical calculator, was designed to use this algorithm in its operation. Divided differences is a recursive division process. The method can be used to calculate the coefficients in the interpolation polynomial in the Newton form. Given k + 1 data points The forward divided differences are defined as: The backward divided differences are defined as: If the data points are given as a function ƒ,