Porisma

A hint to get started

Use an iteration to approximate the specified cubic root

The cubic x3−6x+1=0x^3-6x+1=0 has a root α\alpha in (0,1)(0,1).

(i) Find α\alpha to 5 decimal places. mark

(ii) For xn+1=(xn3+1)/6x_{n+1}=(x_n^3+1)/6, x1=0x_1=0, use a calculator to determine the sequence’s behaviour. marks

(iii) Prove algebraically that, if the sequence converges to α\alpha, its limit is the root of the given cubic. marks

[2008/CJC/I/5]

CJC · Review problems · Question 15

Keep the root interval and the starting value when interpreting the calculator output.

Read the worked solution