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Ch. 4 - Applications of the Derivative
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBriggs 3rd EditionCh. 4 - Applications of the DerivativeProblem 4.24.1
Chapter 4, Problem 4.24.1

{Use of Tech} Finding all roots Use Newton’s method to find all the roots of the following functions. Use preliminary analysis and graphing to determine good initial approximations.


f(x) = x⁵/5 - x³/4 - 1/20

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Step 1: Begin by analyzing the function f(x) = x⁵/5 - x³/4 - 1/20. Identify the degree of the polynomial, which is 5, indicating there could be up to 5 real roots. Consider the behavior of the function as x approaches positive and negative infinity.
Step 2: Graph the function f(x) to visually inspect where the roots might be located. Look for points where the graph crosses the x-axis, as these are potential roots. This will help in choosing good initial approximations for Newton's method.
Step 3: Choose initial approximations for the roots based on the graph. For example, if the graph crosses the x-axis at x = a, x = b, and x = c, these values can be used as starting points for Newton's method.
Step 4: Apply Newton's method, which uses the formula x_{n+1} = x_n - f(x_n)/f'(x_n). First, compute the derivative f'(x) = x⁴ - 3x²/4. Use this derivative in the formula to iteratively find more accurate approximations of the roots.
Step 5: Continue iterating using Newton's method until the approximations converge to a satisfactory level of accuracy. Check the results by substituting back into the original function to ensure f(x) is close to zero, confirming the roots.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Newton's Method

Newton's Method is an iterative numerical technique used to find approximate roots of a real-valued function. It starts with an initial guess and refines it using the formula x_{n+1} = x_n - f(x_n)/f'(x_n), where f' is the derivative of f. This method converges quickly under suitable conditions, making it effective for finding roots when the function is well-behaved near the root.
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Preliminary Analysis

Preliminary analysis involves examining the function's behavior to identify potential roots before applying numerical methods. This can include evaluating the function at various points, analyzing its derivative, and determining intervals where the function changes sign. This step is crucial for selecting good initial approximations for Newton's Method, as it can significantly affect convergence.
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Graphing Functions

Graphing functions provides a visual representation of their behavior, helping to identify roots and understand their characteristics. By plotting the function, one can observe where it intersects the x-axis, indicating potential roots. This visual approach complements analytical methods and aids in selecting effective initial guesses for iterative methods like Newton's Method.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Graphing functions Use the guidelines of this section to make a complete graph of f.


f(x) = ln (x² + 1)

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Textbook Question

{Use of Tech} Finding all roots Use Newton’s method to find all the roots of the following functions. Use preliminary analysis and graphing to determine good initial approximations.


f(x) = x²(x - 100) + 1

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Textbook Question

Finding antiderivatives. Find all the antiderivatives of the following functions. Check your work by taking derivatives.


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Textbook Question

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