Polynomial Interpolation Calculator

Find the unique polynomial passing through given data points using Lagrange and Newton methods.

Data Points

Evaluate At

Lagrange Basis Polynomials

L0(1.5)

-0.062500

Contribution: 1 * -0.0625 = -0.062500

L1(1.5)

0.562500

Contribution: 2 * 0.5625 = 1.125000

L2(1.5)

0.562500

Contribution: 5 * 0.5625 = 2.812500

L3(1.5)

-0.062500

Contribution: 10 * -0.0625 = -0.625000

P(1.5)

3.250000

Polynomial degree: 3

Newton Divided Differences

xf[]f[,]f[,,]f[,,,]
01.00001.00001.00000.0000
12.00003.00001.0000
25.00005.0000
310.0000

Newton Coefficients

a01.000000
a11.000000
a21.000000
a30.000000

Method Comparison

  • Lagrange: Easy to understand, but adding points requires recalculation
  • Newton: Efficient for adding new points, uses divided differences
  • Both produce the same unique polynomial of degree n-1