Using y'' in numerical iteration

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Lets say I know $y(x_1), y'(x_1), y''(x_1), y(x_2), y'(x_2), y''(x_2)$ values exactly

I know only 2 points. What is the best way to find $y(x_3)$?

I don't know how I would include the second derivative into the midpoint rule. I also don't want to only use $y(x_2)$

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  • You could use a Taylor Series Expansion about the point closest to $x_3$... say WLOG $x_2$:

$$y(x_3)\approx y(x_2)+(x_3-x_2)\cdot y'(x_2)+\frac{(x_3-x_2)^2}{2}\cdot y''(x_2).$$

My understanding is that there are ways of employing the data at $x_1$ also in such a framework --- perhaps somebody else might enlighten both of us.

  • Particularly if the $y''(x_2)\neq y''(x_3)$ then perhaps you could fit a cubic to the data you have at $x_2$ and $x_3$. I think in theory you could fit a degree five as you have six equations --- although sometimes the higher degree the polynomial fit, the more wibbly it gets... at least you would have a unique solution unlike degrees three and four.

  • You could also build up a finite difference table using the derivatives you have.

I think I like the degree five polynomial fit to be honest.

Write $$f(x)=ax^5+bx^4+cx^3+dx^2+ex+f.$$

Find the first two derivatives in terms of the parameters $a...f$.

Now input $x_1$ and $x_2$ into the six functions to generate six equations in six unknowns. Solve the resulting linear system and you have

$$y(x_3)\approx f(x_3).$$