WOLFRAM NOTEBOOK

WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

Finite Difference Approximations of the First Derivative of a Function

​
f(x)
x
e
sin(x)
3
x
divided differences:
forward
central
backward
x value
0
h
1
Method
Approximation
Absolute true error
forward divided difference
1.7180
0.7183
central divided difference
1.1750
0.1752
backward divided difference
0.6321
0.3679
exact value
1.0000
Derivatives of functions can be approximated by finite difference formulas. In this Demonstration, we compare the various difference approximations with the exact value.
Wolfram Cloud

You are using a browser not supported by the Wolfram Cloud

Supported browsers include recent versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.


I understand and wish to continue anyway »

You are using a browser not supported by the Wolfram Cloud. Supported browsers include recent versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.