function NF = newton_forward(x, y, a)
    n = length(x);
    diff_table = zeros(n, n);

    for i = 1 : n
        diff_table(i, 1) = y(i);
    end
    
    for j = 2 : n
        for i = 1 : n - j + 1
            diff_table(i, j) = diff_table(i + 1, j - 1) - diff_table(i, j - 1);
        end
    end
   

    NF = diff_table(1, 1);
    s = (a - x(1)) / (x(2) - x(1));
    fact = 1;
    val = s;
    for j = 2 : n
        NF = NF + (val * diff_table(1, j)) / fact;
        val = val * (s - j - 1);
        fact = fact * j;
    end