+0  
 
0
14
6589
2
avatar

Suppose that Newton's method is used to locate a root of the equation f (x) = 0 with initial approximation x1 = 2. If the second approximation is found to be x2 = −6, and the tangent line to f (x) at x = 2 passes through the point (16, 2), find f (2).

 Oct 2, 2014

Best Answer 

 #2
avatar+33659 
+5

Newton's method says that the root of a function f(x) can be obtained numerically by repeated use of the following formula:

xn = xn-1 - f(xn-1)/f`(xn-1)   given an initial guess x1

xn is the n'th estimate;  f(xn-1) is the value of the function at xn-1; f`(xn-1) is the value of the gradient (slope/tangent/derivative) at xn-1.

 

Here, we are told that x1 = 2; x2 = -6; and, because the tangent line at x=16 is 2, we can deduce that

f`(2) = (2 - 0)/(16 - (-6)) = 2/22 = 1/11.  So, using the expression above:

 

x2 = x1 - f(x1)/f`(x1)

-6 = 2 - f(2)/(1/11) 

-6 = 2 - f(2)*11

f(2) = 8/11

 

Same as Chris.

 Oct 2, 2014
 #1
avatar+129850 
+5

The tangent line passes through the points [-6, 0], [2, f(2)] and [16, 2]

Equating slopes, we have

[2 - 0] / [16 - (-6) ] = [2 - f(2)] / [16 - 2]     simplify

2 / 22 = [2 - f(2)] / 14        simplify

1 /11 = [2 - f(2)] / 14      cross-multiply

14 = 11 [ 2 - f(2)]     simplify again

14 = 22 - 11f(2)       subtract 22 from each side

-8 = - 11f(2)       divide both sides by - 11

8/11 = f(2)

I'm pretty sure this is correct....but since I haven't looked at Newton's Method in a while, I'm going to have Alan look this over.....!!!!

 

 Oct 2, 2014
 #2
avatar+33659 
+5
Best Answer

Newton's method says that the root of a function f(x) can be obtained numerically by repeated use of the following formula:

xn = xn-1 - f(xn-1)/f`(xn-1)   given an initial guess x1

xn is the n'th estimate;  f(xn-1) is the value of the function at xn-1; f`(xn-1) is the value of the gradient (slope/tangent/derivative) at xn-1.

 

Here, we are told that x1 = 2; x2 = -6; and, because the tangent line at x=16 is 2, we can deduce that

f`(2) = (2 - 0)/(16 - (-6)) = 2/22 = 1/11.  So, using the expression above:

 

x2 = x1 - f(x1)/f`(x1)

-6 = 2 - f(2)/(1/11) 

-6 = 2 - f(2)*11

f(2) = 8/11

 

Same as Chris.

Alan Oct 2, 2014

5 Online Users

avatar