# Cubic Splines

1. Jun 2, 2009

### Orphen89

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Consider the use of cubic splines to interpolate a set of data. Suppose at some stage in the calculation we arrive at the following spline functions for two consecutive intervals

$$\tilde{f_{0}}$$ = x$$^{3}$$ + ax$$^{2}$$ + bx + c over the interval -1 $$\leq$$ x $$\leq$$ 1
$$\tilde{f_{1}}$$ = 2x$$^{3}$$ + x$$^{2}$$ - x + 4 over the interval 1 $$\leq$$ x $$\leq$$ 2

a) State the conditions that should be imposed on the two functions
b) Hence, compute a, b and c

I'm having a bit of difficulty getting started with this question. I've managed to do Lagrangian and Newton interpolation okay, but the lecture notes covering cubic splines do not go into much detail, so I honestly have no idea what to do. If anyone can provide a bit of help then I'd appreciate it.

2. Jun 2, 2009

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
To be a spline the to pieces must meet smoothly. That is, you must have $f_0(1)= f_1(1)$, $f_0'(1)= f_1'(1)$, and $f_0"(1)= f_1"(1)$. Those three conditions give you 3 equations to solve for a, b, and c.