CHAPTER 8 NUMERICAL METHODS

8.4 Interpolation
The general formula for an th order polynomial is,

Common interpolating polynomials include:

1. First-order (linear) interpolating polynomial. This consider connecting two points.

2. Second-order (quadratic or parabolic) interpolating polynomial. This consider

connecting three points.

3. Third-order (cubic) interpolating polynomial. This consider connecting four points.

Example 1:
Consider the data which represent values of current at given voltages.
V (volts) I (ampere)
20 0.0524
23 0.2512
25 0.3204

Determine the value of the current when the voltage is 22 V. Use linear and
parabolic interpolation.
Solution:
For linear interpolation:
From the table:

The interpolating polynomial is,

Solve for and , thus,

;
;

129

Author: Harold Jan R. Terano, ECE, MET

NUMERICAL METHODS CHAPTER 8

Solving the systems of equations,

The first-order interpolating polynomial is,

At ,

Therefore, using linear interpolation, the current at 22 volts is 0.1849 amperes.

For quadratic/parabolic interpolation:
From the table:

The interpolating polynomial is,

Solve for and , thus,

;
;
;
Solving the systems of equations,

The second-order interpolating polynomial is,

At ,

Therefore, using quadratic interpolation, the current at 22 volts is 0.1978

amperes.

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Author: Harold Jan R. Teran
CHAPTER 8 NUMERICAL METHODS

Example 2:
Estimate the natural logarithm of 2 given and
. Use linear and quadratic interpolation.
Solution:
The data is given as,

1 0
4 1.386294
6 1.791759

For linear interpolation:

The interpolating polynomial is,

Solve for and , thus,

;
;
Solving the systems of equations,

The first-order interpolating polynomial is,

When

By linear interpolation, .
For quadratic interpolation:

The interpolating polynomial is,

Solve for and , thus,

;
;
;
131

Author: Harold Jan R. Terano, ECE, MET

NUMERICAL METHODS CHAPTER 8

Solving the systems of equations,

The second-order interpolating polynomial is,

When

Exercise 8.5
Solve the following problems.
1. Given the table representing the density of air at a given temperature.
kg/m3
0 1.29
20 1.20
50 1.09

Find the density at using linear and quadratic interpolation.

2. Estimate the value of using linear and quadratic interpolation

given and .

3. Given the table representing the current at a given resistance.

1.45 122.45
3.24 194.23
4.65 223.16

Find the current at using linear and quadratic interpolation.

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Author: Harold Jan R. Teran