CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Another valuable tool in the numerical toolbox for solving nonlinear problems, is the
fixed-point iteration method.

The numerical technique referred to as fixed-point iteration is also utilized to acquire

the approximation to an equation’s root (or solution). In particular, it helps with nonlinear
equations. The basic idea behind fixed-point iteration is to rewrite the equation to be
solved in the form of a fixed-point equation, where the variable being determined is
expressed as a function of itself.

In solving the root of the original equation, there should be an initial guess x, to which
a function g(x) is repeatedly applied to such guess. The guess is further narrowed with each
iteration, converging closer to the real root. This process is repeated until reaching a
solution, which is when the difference between successive guesses is sufficiently minimal,
or when error is lesser than or equal to predefined tolerance.

Figure 1 shows the illustration of the graph

showing how a fixed-point iteration method behaves.
The root-finding algorithm particularly contributes
considerably to the field of civil engineering, such that, it
is utilized as means to analyze structural systems, to
calculate parameters related to soil mechanics, to solve
equations in hydraulic and hydrological calculations, to
solve equations related to traffic flow modeling, queuing
FIGURE 1. theory, or optimization problems in transportation
network design, to solve scheduling and project management equations, to solve equations
related to pollutant transport and dispersion in air or water, to solve complex equations that
govern soil-structure interaction, to solve equations related to reservoir operation, water
allocation, and flood control, to solve equations related to geographic information systems
(GIS), land surveying, or geodetic calculations, to analyze data from material testing
experiments. In summary, the method is used for its ability to solve nonlinear equations,
iterative nature, simplicity, versatility, and convergence analysis– hence why, such
numerical method is used commonly of finding complex equations.
 CHAPTER 2

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. Use the fixed-point iteration method to locate at least one root of a function with a
polynomial degree of four (4) in the general form, f(x)= Ax⁴ + Bx³ + Cx² + Dx + E
such that, the quartic function is x⁴ + 2x³ – 85x² – 86x + 1680 with a tolerance ≤
0.00001, by means of utilizing the Microsoft Excel as a programming tool and by
using the value:
A. 4.5
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY OR ALGORITHM

Prior to commencing the process, any software capable of serving as a programming

tool and delivering solutions to complex equations is necessary– Microsoft Excel, as in this
case– as well as a comprehensive understanding of the simple steps of fixed-point iteration
method to efficiently utilize it as a numerical means of finding solutions.

The following algorithm shows the step-by-step procedure in solving for the solutions
of the given quartic function, f(x)= x⁴ + 2x³ – 85x² – 86x + 1680, by means of Microsoft
Excel as the programming tool and by means of the root-finding method hereinafter referred
to as the fixed-point iteration method:

1. Manipulate the equation into different forms, such that, only x is at constant
left on one side of the equation.
The equation is x⁴ + 2x³ – 85x² – 86x + 1680= 0, if manipulated it can be in the form:
A. x= ⁴√(-2x³+85x²+86x-1680)
B. x= (-x²+85+(86/x)-(1680/x²))½
C. x= (-1680)/(x³+2x²-85x-86)+1680
The equation at hand, when used with SHIFT+SOLVE, results to x=5.

2. Setting up the spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.

A. Prior to assigning columns with a specified set of values, merge and center
the appropriate number of cells in ROW 1 to provide space for the problem
statement.
B. In ROW 2, assign each cell to a corresponding set of values.
C. A2 will be labeled as x, containing the first assumed value and the values of
the previous g(x).
D. B2 will be labeled as g(x), containing all the values of the function evaluated
with the value of x.
E. C2 will be labeled as error, containing the error.
F. D2 will be labeled as ≤0.00001, in that the FALSE would mean that the
resulting error in C2 is not within the predefined tolerance of which should be
lesser than or equal to 0.00001; otherwise, a TRUE is marked if a resulting
error from C2 conforms to the tolerance, ≤0.00001.
3. Initial setup.
A. Enter the initial value of the in A3.
B. Evaluate the value of the function using A3 and using the manipulated
equation x= (-1680)/(x³+2x²-85x-86)+1680 in cell B3, by typing in:
=(-1680)/(POWER(A3,J3)+2*POWER(A3,K3)-8
Such that all values in the entirety of column J=3 and column K=2.
C. In cell C3, acquire the absolute value of the difference between the previous
point (xprevious) which is 0 and the newer point (x) of the value found in A3 and
divide the resulting absolute value of the difference by the newer point (x) still
found in A3. After acquiring the quotient, multiply by 100. This is given by the
formula:
=ABS((A3-0)/A3)*100
D. Observe the cell D3. Identify whether or not the resulting error in cell C3 is
within the predefined tolerance ≤0.00001, by typing in:
=IF(C3<=0.00001,TRUE,FALSE)
Such that, if it is true that G3 is lesser than or equal to 0.00001, H3 will be
marked as TRUE; otherwise, H3 will be marked as FALSE.
E. If D3 is marked FALSE, proceed to another iteration.

4. Updating the x.
A. In A4, the new value of x in A4 shall be the previous value of g(x) in B3.
=B3

5. Repeating until reaching the desired level of accuracy.

A. To determine g(x) for cell B4, drag down B3.
B. To determine error for cell C4, acquire the absolute value of the difference
between the previous point (x previous) which is in A3 and the newer point (x)
found in A4 and divide the resulting absolute value of the difference by the
newer point (x) still in A4. After acquiring the quotient, multiply by 100. This is
given by the formula:
=ABS((A4-A3)/A4)*100
C. To also determine D4, drag down D3 to D4. If D4 is marked FALSE, proceed
to another iteration.
D. For the next iterations, select everything in ROW 4 and drag down all the way
to the nth number of row until reaching the desired level of accuracy or until
the column D contains a mark of TRUE.
 CHAPTER 4

ALGORITHM FLOW CHART

START

evaluate function value

input x g(x)

NO
check convergence
error ≤
g(x) = x
tolerance?
update value of x

YES

OUTPUT:
root= x3

STOP
 CHAPTER 5

PROGRAMMING USING MICROSOFT EXCEL

Microsoft Excel is an efficient programming tool that supports quantitative operations

involved in numerical analysis and solving equations, if anything, such a tool can manage
mathematical computations and iterations needed for the false position method. The False
Position method performed in Excel involves first setting up the spreadsheet, such that the
first row is where the problem statement lies as in this case and the second row is where
each cell is assigned to a corresponding set of values.

FIRST ITERATION

1. Enter initial value in A3.

2. Obtain g(x) in B3:
3. =(-1680)/(POWER(A3,J3)+2*POWER(A3,K3)-8
Such that all values in the entirety of column J=3 and K=2.
4. Calculate C3:
=ABS((A3-0)/A3)*100
5. Identify resulting error in D3 if within predefined tolerance ≤0.00001:
=IF(C3<=0.00001,TRUE,FALSE)
If C3 ≤ 0.00001, D3=TRUE; otherwise, D3=FALSE.
6. If D3=FALSE, proceed to another iteration.

SECOND ITERATION

1. In A4:
=B3
2. Drag down B3 to B4.
3. In C4:
=ABS((A4-A3)/A4)*100
4. Drag down D3 to D4. If D4=FALSE, proceed to another iteration and so on.
 CHAPTER 6

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Setting up a simple spreadsheet and ensuring certain conditions are met, performing
the fixed-point iteration method on Microsoft Excel iteratively narrowed down the initial
value to an approximate solution. The bisection method operated on Excel, obtained at
least one root of the function, f(x)= x⁴ + 2x³ – 85x² – 86x + 1680 with an error ≤ 0.00001,
manipulated into the form, x= (-1680)/(x³+2x²-85x-86)+1680 by using the value:

A. 4.5

2x³ – 85x² – 86x + 1680 with error ≤ 0.00001.

x g(x) error ≤0.00001

4.5 4.987012987 100 FALSE

4.987012987 4.998110758 9.765625 FALSE

4.998110758 4.999719781 0.222039315 FALSE

4.999719781 4.999958321 0.032182272 FALSE

4.999958321 4.999993798 0.004770833 FALSE

4.999993798 4.999999077 0.000709545 FALSE

4.999999077 4.999999863 0.000105578 FALSE

4.999999863 4.99999998 1.57108E-05 FALSE

4.99999998 4.999999997 2.33792E-06 TRUE

First root= 4.999999998 Error= 2.3379 x 10⁻⁶

Equation used: x= -1680/(x³+2x²-85x-86)

Operating the root-finding method at hand, hereinafter referred to as the fixed-point

iteration method on the Microsoft Excel, determined at least one root of the given quartic
function, f(x)= x⁴ + 2x³ – 85x² – 86x + 1680 with an error ≤ 0.00001, accordingly
manipulated into the form, x= (-1680)/(x³+2x²-85x-86)+1680 by using a starting value of 4.5.
The inputted data all-in-all resulted and acquired a root value of 4.999999998.
 REFERENCES

1. Burden, R. L., & Faires, J. D. (2005). Student Solutions Manual and Study Guide for
Numerical Analysis (9th ed.).
2. Chapra, S. C., & Canale, R. P. (2000). Numerical Methods for Engineers (6th ed.).
McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
3. Katz, V. J. (1993). A History of Mathematics: An Introduction. New York :
HarperCollins.