ABSTRACT
The evaluation of a derivative is required in many problems in engineering and sCIence:
d I(dx (I(x» = I x) = fx(x) (5.1 )
x f(x) 3.20 0.312500 3.30 0.303030 3.35 0.298507 3.40 0.294118 3.50 0.285714 3.60 0.277778 3.65 0.273973 3.70 0.270270
where the alternate notations/'ex) andfr(x) are used for the derivatives. The function/(x), which is to be differentiated, may be a know function or a set of discrete data. In general, known functions can be differentiated exactly. Differentiation of discrete data, however, requires an approximate numerical procedure. The evaluation of derivatives by approximate numerical procedures is the subject of this chapter.
