Interpolation

Dr. B. Santhosh
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Introduction
• Consider the given data
x y
1 1.9
2 2.7 How to use the data ?
3 4.8 • The data obtained may be from simulation/laboratory
4 5.3 measurements.
5 7.1 • Draw a smooth curve between the data points.
6 9.4
• Infer values between the data points.
• Predict the values beyond the range of available data.
• If the data represent some underlying function, find its
derivative or integral.
• Find the value of the function at a given argument.
• Method of least squares was used to fit the data using a straight line
or higher order polynomials (curve fitting)
• In interpolation, the function not just capture the general trend of the
data, but pass through the data points. (The function must match the
given data values exactly).
• Such a function is known as Interpolating function/ Interpolant.
• Interpolation:
• Fitting some function to given data so that the function has the same values
as the given data.
• Secant method to find the root of function used a straight line fit
between 2 data points.
Purpose of interpolation
• Plotting a smooth curve between the data points.
• Reading between the lines of a table.
• Differentiating and integrating tabular data.
• Evaluating a mathematical function quickly and easily.
• Replacing a complicated function by a simple one.
• The alternate representation of discrete data as a function rather than
a table of values (and vice versa) is a key concept in bridging the gap
between the finite and in-finite dimensional problems.
• Two main issues in numerical computation are
• Accurately approximating infinite-dimensional problems by finite-dimensional
problems.
• Developing methods to solve the resulting finite dimensional problem
accurately and efficiently.
• An arbitrary continuous function can be represented (approximately)
using finite number of parameters either by a table of its values at a
finite / discrete set of points or by a function depends on a finite
number of parameters.
• The later representation is more convenient and useful. One way to
obtain such a function is by interpolation.
Interpolation in steam tables
Interpolation in finite element method
Open questions on selection of interpolation
function
• What form the function should have?
• Should the function inherit the properties of the data?
• How should the function behave between the data points?
• If the function and data are plotted, should the results be visually
pleasing?
Selection of a function for interpolation is
based on
• How easy the interpolant is to work with?
• How well the properties of the interpolant match the properties of
the data to be fit?
Families of functions commonly used for
interpolation
• Polynomials
• Piecewise polynomials
• Trigonometric functions
• Exponential functions
• Rational functions
Methods of Interpolation
• Lagrange Interpolation
• Newton divided difference
• Spline interpolation
• Multi dimensional interpolation
Lagrange Interpolation
• Lagrange Interpolation is able to give a polynomial that passes though all data points.
• It does this by generating a set of polynomials each associated with a particular node.
• L0 = 1 at 1st node and zero at all other nodes.
• L1 =1 at 2nd node and zero at other nodes.
• This pattern continues for all Lagrange polynomials.
• Each Lagrange polynomial contribute only to its own node.
• Multiply each LP with the y value it should have and add them
together, the resulting polynomial will interpolate all data points.