Overview

This textbook will enable you to - discuss polynomial and spline interpolation - explain why using splines is a good method for interpolating data - construct cubic interpolating splines for your own projects It is a self-contained course for students who wish to learn about interpolating cubic splines and for lecturers who seek inspiration for designing a spline interpolation module. The book's innovative concept combines - a slide-based lecture with textual notes - a thorough introduction to the mathematical formalism - exercises - a "rocket science" project that implements constructing interpolating splines in Python for answering questions about the velocity, g-force, and covered distance after the first launch of SpaceX(R)' Falcon(R) Heavy Target group: STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) students and lecturers at colleges and universities Contents: Preface 1 Cubic spline interpolation 2 Mini-script for constructing cubic splines 3 Spline exercises 4 The rocket launch project 5 Closing remarks Appendix A notebook for periodic cubic splines Index