Chapter 2|Roots of Equation

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this chapter, it is expected that the students will be able to
1. Define the different root-finding techniques in finding the roots of algebraic and
transcendental equations.
2. Analyze the different bracketing methods.
3. Illustrate the different open methods.
4. Apply the knowledge of root-finding techniques in solving engineering problems

01|Introduction 02| Bracketing Method

This chapter deals with the different methods used in finding the roots of equations
These methods deal with the fact that a function typically changes sign in the vicinity
which appears in the general for:
of a root. These techniques are called bracketing methods because two initial guesses
=0 eq. 1
for the root are required.
Graphically, a solution (or root) of the function = 0 refers to the point of
intersection of and the − . Therefore, depending on the nature of the graph
of in the − , equation 2.1 may have a unique solution, multiple solution, or
GRAPHICAL METHOD
no solution at all. A root of equation can sometimes be determined analytically resulting
A simple method for obtaining an estimate of the root of the equation = 0 is to
in an exact solution in closed form.
make a plot of the function and observe where it crosses the x-axis. This point, which
represents the x value for which = 0, provides a rough estimate of the root.
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE: Solution 2:
1. Use the graphical approach to determine the value of , for the equation = −4 +3
= −4 +3 let,
Solution 1: =
and
=4 −3
4
3
2 4
1 3
0 2
-1 1
0
-1

20

15

3.5 10
3
2.5 5
2
1.5 0
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
1
0.5 -5

0
-10
-0.5 0 1 2 3 4 5

-1
-1.5
2. Use the graphical approach to determine the value of , for the equation Solution 2:
= + −3 = + −3
Solution 1: let,
=
and
2
= 3−
1
0
-1
-2 2
1
0
-1
-2

7
8
6
6
5
4
4
2
3
0
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 2
-2
1
-4
0
-6 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
3. Use the graphical approach to determine the value of , for the equation Solution 2:
= 3 + ln − = 3 + ln −
Solution 1: let,
= ln
and
1
= −3
2
3
4
5 1

6 2
3
7
4
5
6
7

2.5 5

2
4
1.5
3
1

0.5 2

0 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-0.5
0
-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-1
-1.5

-2 -2

-2.5 -3
PRACTICE:
Use the graphical approach to determine the drag coefficients, , needed for a
parachutist of mass = 68.1 to have a velocity of 40 m/s after free-falling for time
time ! = 10 . Note: the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2
#$ "
'( )*
" = % − & $ + − ,-
"

" "
4
8
12
16
20
BISECTION METHOD
The bisection method, which is alternatively called binary chopping, interval halving or
Bolzano’s Method, is one type of incremental search method in which the interval is
always divided in half.

Steps in Implementing Bisection Method

1. Choose lower XL and upper XU guesses for the root such that the function changes sign
over the interval. This can be checked by ensuring that 34 35 < 0.
2. An estimate of the root Xr is determined by
/0 + /1
/2 =

3. Make the following evaluations in which the subinterval the root lies
a. If 34 37 < 0, the root lies in the lower subinterval. Therefore, set
35 = 37 and return to step 2.
b. If 34 37 > 0, the root lies in the upper subinterval. Therefore,
34 = 37 and return to step 2.
c. If 34 37 = 0, the root equals 37 ; terminate the computation.

EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
1. Use the bisection method to solve for the value of .
= −4 +3

. /0 /1 /2 /0 /2
Termination Criteria and Error Estimates:
If 9: < 9; , terminate the computation.

εa = approximate percent relative error.

/2 ?&@ '/2 ABC

<= = > > --% (eq. 9)
/2 ?&@

εs = pre-specified stopping criterion.

EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
2. Use the bisection method to solve for the value of . Use 9; = 0.5%.
= + −3

. /0 /1 /2 /0 /2 <=
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
3. Use the bisection method to solve for the value of . Use 9; = 0.5%.
= 3 + ln −

. /0 /1 /2 /0 /2 <=
PRACTICE:
Use the Bisection Method to determine the drag coefficients, , needed for a
parachutist of mass = 68.1 to have a velocity of 40 m/s after free-falling for time
time ! = 10 . Note: the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2

#$ "
'( )*
" = % − & $ + − ,-
"

. Use 9; = 0.5%.
FALSE POSITION METHOD

This is an alternative method that exploits the graphical insight is to join

f(XL) and f(XU) by a straight line. The intersection of this line with the x-
axis represents an improved estimate of the root. The fact that the
replacements of the curve by a straight line gives a “false position” of
the root is the origin of the name, method of false position, or in Latin,
regula falsi. It is also called the linear interpolation method.

Derivation of False-Position Formula

Using similar triangles, the intersection of the straight line with the x-axis
can be estimated as:
3F 3G
=
37 − 3F 37 − H
Which can be solved for:

L I K IM − I K
IJ = IK −
L IM − L IK
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
1. Use the False Position method to solve for the value of .
= −4 +3

. /0 /1 /2 /0 /2 <=
EXAMPLE:
XAMPLE:
2. Use the False Position method to solve for the value of . Use 9; = 0.5%.
= + −3

. /0 /1 /2 /0 /2 <=
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
3. Use the False Position method to solve for the value of . Use 9; = 0.5%.
= 3 + ln −

. /0 /1 /2 /0 /2 <=
PRACTICE:
Use the False Position Method to determine the drag coefficients, , needed for a
parachutist of mass = 68.1 to have a velocity of 40 m/s after free-falling for time
time ! = 10 . Note: the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2

#$ "
'( )*
" = % − & $ + − ,-
"

. Use 9; = 0.5%.