Degree and Finite Differences
How the degree translates to a function DegreeFunction 0Constant 1linear 2quadratic 3cubic
What do the graphs look like?
Constant: y=3
Linear: y=x
Using Finite Differences Given a table of values, there is a trick to find the degree of the equation, it is called the Finite Difference Method. Once we know the degree, it is easy to find the equation on the calculator.
If the first difference is constant, it is a linear function.
If the second difference is constant, it is a quadratic function
If the Third difference is constant, it is a cubic function.
How do we get the actual Equation? Once we use the finite difference method to find the degree, we can use the calculator to find the equation.
Magic Button- Stat
Practice Problems
Homework 7.1 Worksheet- All.