Homework 3

1) Study the following two functions in Microsoft Excel environment:

i) f ( x) = 4 x 3 − 6 x 2 + 1

(4 x 3 − 6 x 2 + 1) x + 1
ii ) f ( x) =
3− x

a) Plot a graph of each of the functions for the following range of x-values −1  x  +1
[4 marks]

b) One of the roots of the function (i) above is x = 0.5. Using the Bisection method,
estimate two other roots to 3 decimal places (one negative and one positive) of the
function (i).

Your targets (the interval between guess (a) and guess (b)) at which you read off the
root are:

For the positive root is 0 (zero). [2 marks]

For the negative root is 0.000030517578125 [2 marks ]

c) Using the Excel goal seek tool, find one positive, and one negative root of the function
in (ii) above. [2 marks]

2) Using

i) mid-point rule searching [3 marks]

ii) Simpson rule [3 marks ]
2

 6 dx
x
find the approximate value of using n = 6 and giving your answer to three
0
significant figures.

Presentation [ 4 marks]