Mathematics Ext 1 Higher School Certificate Examinations by Topics compiled by projectmaths.com.

au page 1

Polynomials (Approximating Roots)

14 12 The diagram shows the graph of a 1 Solution

e function f(x). The equation f(x) = 0 has a

root at x = . The value x1, as shown in
the diagram, is chosen as a first
approximation of . A second
approximation, x2, of  is obtained by
applying Newton’s method once, using x1
as the first approximation. Using a
diagram, or otherwise, explain why x1 is a closer approximation than x2.

13 14 Solution
1
The equation e t = has an approximate solution t0 = 0.5.
c t
(i) Use one application of Newton’s method to show that t1 = 0.56 is another 2
1
approximate solution of e t = .
t
(ii) Hence, or otherwise, find an approximation to the value of r for which the 3
graphs y = e rx and y = loge x have a common tangent at their point of
intersection.

11 2b Solution
1 3
The function f(x) = cos 2x – x has a zero near x =. Use one application of
2
Newton’s method to obtain another approximation to this zero. Give your answer
correct to two decimal places.

10 3b 2 Solution
(1) Show that there is a solution to the equation x = e  x between 1
(iv)
x = 0.6 and x = 0.7.
(2) By halving the interval, find the solution correct to one decimal place. 1

09 3b Solution
(i) On the same set of axes, sketch the graphs of y = cos 2x and 2
x 1
y= for – ≤ x ≤ .
2
(ii) Use your graph to determine how many solutions there are to the 1
equation 2 cos 2x = x +1 for – ≤ x ≤ .
(iii) One solution of the equation 2 cos 2x = x +1 is close to x = 0.4. Use one 3
application of Newton’s method to find another approximation to this
solution. Give your answer correct to three decimal places.

08 2d Solution
The function f(x) = tan x – loge x has a zero near x = 4. Use one application of 3
Newton’s method to obtain another approximation to this zero. Give your answer
correct to two decimal places.

07 5a Solution
A first approximation to the solution of the equation 2 – tan  = 0 is 2
ii
 = 1.15 radians. Use one application of Newton’s method to find a better
approximation. Give your answer correct to four decimal places.

HSC exam papers © Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in right of State of NSW
 Mathematics Ext 1 Higher School Certificate Examinations by Topics compiled by projectmaths.com.au page 2

06 3b Solution
(i) By considering f(x) = 3 log e x – x , show that the curve y = 3 log e x and the 1
line y = x meet at a point P whose x-coordinate is between 1.5 and 2.
(ii) Use one application of Newton’s method, starting at x = 1.5, to find an
approximation to the x-coordinate of P. 2
Give your answer correct to two decimal places.

HSC exam papers © Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW for and on behalf of the Crown in right of State of NSW