Numerical Differentiation

Lagrange Polynomials

Lagrange polynomials, which are commonly used for interpolation, can also be used for differentiation. The formula is

$f^{\prime}(x) = \sum_{k=0}^n y_k L_{k}^{\prime}(x),$

where $L_{k}^{\prime}(x)$ is given as

$L_{k}^{\prime}(x) = \left[ \sum_{j=0}^{n} \left( \prod_{ {i=0}\atop{i \ne j,k} }^n (x-x_i) \right) \right] \left[ \prod_{{i=0}\atop{i\ne k}}^{n} (x_i-x_k) \right]^{-1}.$

Here $n$ is the order of the polynomial and we require $n_p=n+1$ points to form the Lagrange polynomial.

Tables for Derivatives on Uniform Grids

Some First Derivative Expressions for a Uniform Mesh

Derivative at point $i$	Discrete Representation (uniform mesh)	Order
Forward Difference	$\left. \frac{\mathrm{d}\phi}{\mathrm{d}x} \right|_{i} \approx \frac{\phi_{i+1}-\phi_{i}}{\Delta x}$	$\mathcal{O}\left(\Delta x \right)$
Backward Difference	$\left. \frac{\mathrm{d}\phi}{\mathrm{d}x} \right|_{i} \approx \frac{\phi_{i}-\phi_{i-1}}{\Delta x}$	$\mathcal{O}\left(\Delta x \right)$
Central Difference	$\left. \frac{\mathrm{d\phi}}{\mathrm{d}x} \right|_{i} \approx \frac{\phi_{i+1}-\phi_{i-1}}{2\Delta x}$	$\mathcal{O}\left(\Delta x^2 \right)$

Some Second Derivative Expressions for a Uniform Mesh

Derivative at point $i$	Discrete Representation (uniform mesh)	Order