Solutions to nonlinear equations

February 1, 2021
Understand concepts of non-linear equations

Non-linear equation is an equation whose graph is a a straight line

Example

y = x 2, y = x 3 − 16x + 4, y = cos x . . .
Solving for roots of non-linear equations
Consider the equation
f (x) = 0.
roots of the f (x) are the values of x which satisfy the above expression.
Understand concepts of non-linear equations
f (x) = x 2 g (x) = x 3 − 16x + 4

h(x) = cos x
Understand concepts of non-linear equations

Thus, when we look at the graphs, it tell us that the roots of the function
can be spotted when the graph intersect the x-axis.
Bisection Method

If f (x) is real and continuous inthe interval x` and xu and f (x` ) and f (xu )
have opposite signs, that is

f (x` )f (xu ) < 0

then there is at least one root between x` and xu .

Bisection Method

The bisection method, which is alternatively called binary

chopping,interval having. If a function changes sign over an interval, the
function value at the midpoint evaluated. The location of the root is then
determined as laying at the midpoint of the subinterval within which the
sign change occurs.
Bisection Method

Steps:
Choose lower xL and xu guesses for the root such that the function
changes sign over the interval. This can be checked by ensuring that
f (xL )f (xu ) < 0.
An estimate of the root xr is determined by
xL + xu
xr = .
2
Bisection Method

Make the following evaluations to determine in which subinterval the

root lies:
If f (xL )f (xu ) < 0, the root lies in the lower subinterval. Therefore, set
xu = xr and return to step 2.
If f (xL )f (xu ) > 0, the root lies in the upper subinterval. Therefore, set
xL = xr and return to step 2.
If f (xL )f (xu ) = 0, the root equals xr : terminate the computation.
Terminate criteria and error estimates
 new
 xr − xrold 

a = 
  × 100%.
xrnew 
Bisection Method

Example
Approximate the root of f (x) = −2x 3 + 4x − 1 up to 25% error estimate,
using bisection method. Initial guesses xL = −2 and xu = 0.

Solution:
−2 + 0
xr = = −1
2
since f (−2) = 7 and f (0) = −1, their product is −7 < 0 implies
xu = xr = −1.
−2 − 1
xr = = −1.5
2
 
 −1.5 − (−1) 
a =   × 100% = 33.33%.
−1.5 
Repeat the process since error is more than 25%
f (xL ) = f (−2) = 7 and f (xu ) = f (−1) = −7, implies
f (−2)f (−1) = 49 > 0.
It follows that xL = xr = −1.5, then compute the new xr
−1.5 − 1
xr = = −1.25
2
 
 −1.25 − (−1.5) 
a = 
  × 100% = 20%.
−1.25 

Since error is only 20%, thus the approximate root is -1.25.

Newton-Raphson Method

The Newton-Raphson method can be derived on the basis of geometrical

interpretation.
Newton-Raphson Method

If the initial guess at the root is xi , a tangent line can be extended from
the point (xi , f (xi )). The point where this tangent crosses the x-axis
usually represents an improved estimate of the root.

0 f (xi ) − 0
f (xi ) =
xi − xi+1
f (xi )
xi+1 = xi − 0 .
f (xi )
Newton-Raphson Method

Example
Approximate the root of f (x) = −2x 3 + 4x − 1 up to 25% error estimate,
using bisection method. Initial guess xi = −2.

Solution:

f (−2) = 7
0
f (x) = −6x 2 + 4
0
f (xi ) = −6(−2)2 + 4 = −20
7
xi+1 = −2 −
−20
xi+1 = −1.65
Check for error:
 
 −1.65 − (−2) 
a = 
  × 100% = 21.21%.
−1.65 

which is less than 25% error, thus the approximate root is -1.65.