Exercise · ZW-FINITE-DIFFERENCES-FOR-DERIVATIVES-003 · ★☆☆ Basic

What is the centered finite difference formula for \(f'(x)\)?

Choose one option.

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  • D. \(\frac{f(x+h)-f(x-h)}{2h}\)

Explanation

The centered formula uses \(x+h\) and \(x-h\), which are \(2h\) apart, so the denominator is \(2h\).

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Review the concept: Finite differences for derivatives

Finite differences are approximations of the derivatives of a function \(f\) from its values at discrete points separated by a step \(h\). They turn differential problems into algebraic systems that a computer can solve.

\[f'(x)\approx \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}\]

More practice problems: finite differences for derivatives

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