Multiple choice

The error in $\frac{d}{dx}f(x) |_{x - x_0} = \frac{f(x_0 + h) - f(x_0 - h)}{2h}$, is 2 x 10 -3. The values of x0 and f (x0) are 19.78 and 500.01, respectively. The corresponding error in the central difference estimate for h = 0.02 is approximately.

  1. 1.3 x 10-4

  2. 3.0 x 10-4

  3. 4.5 x 10-4

  4. 9.0 x 10-4

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A Correct answer
Explanation

The error in the central difference formula is proportional to h^2. Given the error for h = 0.02 is 2 x 10^-3, the error for a different h can be scaled accordingly.