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Tables

Finding Differences

Example

The table below contains sets or ordered pairs from an unknown polynomial function. Use finite differences to determine the degree of the polynomial.

FindDiffEx1-1

Step 1. Make sure the x-values are in equal increments.

The x-values of the table are increasing by one.

Step 2. Find the first difference of the table.

FindDiffEx1-2

Since the first difference is not constant, the polynomial is not linear.