Q:

New notation : $f[0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4]$

I came across this question:

Suppose $f(x)=x^3-x+\frac{1}{4}$, What's the value of $f
[0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4]$?

The problem is, I have no idea what is being asked, I'm unfamiliar with the notation "$f[0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4]$". 

A:

This notation is used for divided differences, so perhaps that is what you are being asked to calculate. Giving a context for the question would help: divided differences arise in polynomial interpolation.

