functions:DERIV

SMOOTH

 syntax: DERIV( x, y )
         DERIV( x, y, `SMOOTH' )

 Cubic splines, which may not pass through the data points, are
 used. The spline tension will be the current value of TENSION,
 which may be changed with the SET command.  A tension of 0 gives
 the loosest splines, while a large tension gives linear
 interpolation. The default tension is 1. 

INTERP

 syntax: DERIV( x, y, `INTERP' )

 Cubic splines, which always pass through the data points, are
 used. The spline tension will be the current value of TENSION,
 which may be changed with the SET command.  A tension of 0 gives
 the loosest splines, while a large tension gives linear
 interpolation. The default tension is 1. 

LAGRANGEn

 syntax: DERIV( x, y, `LAGRANGE3' )
         DERIV( x, y, `LAGRANGE5' )
         DERIV( x, y, `LAGRANGE7' )
         DERIV( x, y, `LAGRANGE9' )

 The derivatives are calculated using the method of Lagrange
 interpolating polynomials. The order of the polynomials can be
 3, 5, 7, or 9.

FC

 syntax: DERIV( x, y, `FC' )

 The derivatives are calculated using the Fritsch and Carlson
 method of monotone piecewise cubic interpolation. This algorithm
 produces a visually pleasing interpolant, that is, the
 interpolating curve has no extraneous `bumps' or `wiggles'.

example

 Suppose you need the derivatives, from 0 to pi, of
 cos(x)^3+sin(x)^4   The following commands could be used:

 X = [0:PI:.1]
 YINT = DERIV(X,COS(X)^3+SIN(X)^4,`LAGRANGE5')