Finite‐difference approximation for the u(k)‐derivative with O(hM−k+1) accuracy: An analytical expression

An approximation of function u(x) as a Taylor series expansion about a point x₀ at M points x_i, ～ i = 1,2,…,M is used where x_i are arbitrary‐spaced. This approximation is a linear system for the derivatives u^(k) with an arbitrary accuracy. An analytical expression for the inverse matrix A ^?1 where A = A_ik] = (x_i ? x₀)^k is found. A finite‐difference approximation of derivatives u^(k) of a given function u(x) at point x₀ is derived in terms of the values u(x_i). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006