Bisection Method
Bisection Method
x
x
xu
Figure 1 At least one root exists between the two points if the function is
real, continuous, and changes sign.
Basis of Bisection Method
f(x)
x x
xu
x xu
x x
x xu
xu x
x
x
x
xu
Figure 1
Step 2
Estimate the root, xm of the equation f (x) = 0 as the mid
point between x and xu as
f(x)
x + xu
xm =
2
x xm
x
xu
Figure 5 Estimate of xm
Step 3
Now check the following
a = 100
m m
new
xm
where
xmold = previous estimate of root
xmnew = current estimate of root
Step 5
Compare the absolute relative approximate error a with
the pre-specified error tolerance s .
Go to Step 2 using new
Yes upper and lower
Is a s ? guesses.
Hence
( )( )
f ( xl ) f (xu ) = f (0 ) f (0.11) = 3.993 10 −4 − 2.662 10 −4 0
So there is at least on root between x and xu, that is between 0 and 0.11
Example 1 Cont.
( )( )
f (xl ) f (xm ) = f (0) f (0.055) = 3.993 10−4 6.655 10−5 0
Hence the root is bracketed between xm and xu, that is, between 0.055
and 0.11. So, the lower and upper limits of the new bracket are
xl = 0.055, xu = 0.11
At this point, the absolute relative approximate error a cannot be
calculated as we do not have a previous approximation.
Example 1 Cont.
Hence the root is bracketed between x and xm, that is, between 0.055
and 0.0825. So, the lower and upper limits of the new bracket are
xl = 0.055, xu = 0.0825
Example 1 Cont.
xmnew − xmold
a = new
100
xm
0.0825 − 0.055
= 100
0.0825
= 33.333%
None of the significant digits are at least correct in the estimate root of
xm = 0.0825 because the absolute relative approximate error is greater
than 5%.
Example 1 Cont.
Iteration 3 x + xu 0.055 + 0.0825
The estimate of the root is xm = = = 0.06875
2 2
f (xm ) = f (0.06875) = (0.06875) − 0.165(0.06875) + 3.993 10−4 = −5.563 10−5
3 2
( )( )
f (xl ) f (xm ) = f (0.055) f (0.06875) = 6.655 10−5 − 5.563 10−5 0
Hence the root is bracketed between x and xm, that is, between 0.055
and 0.06875. So, the lower and upper limits of the new bracket are
xl = 0.055, xu = 0.06875
Example 1 Cont.
xmnew − xmold
a = new
100
xm
0.06875 − 0.0825
= 100
0.06875
= 20%
Still none of the significant digits are at least correct in the estimated
root of the equation as the absolute relative approximate error is
greater than 5%.
Seven more iterations were conducted and these iterations are shown in
Table 1.
Table 1 Cont.
Table 1 Root of f(x)=0 as function of number of iterations for
bisection method.
Iteration x xu xm a % f(xm)
f (x ) = x 2
x
Drawbacks (continued)
◼ Function changes sign but root does not
exist
f (x ) =
f(x)
1
x
x