EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping

School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Topic 1.3: DIFFERENTIATION

This topic is devoted to find derivatives and its applications based on
• the first principle derivative
• continuity and differentiability
• rates of change
• mean value theorem
• L’ Hôpital’s Rule
• Newton-Raphson’s differentiation method.

Learning Outcome
At the end of this chapter you will be able to:

• Derive the expression for derivative of elementary functions using the first principle concepts
• Determine the differentiability and continuity of a function
• Compute the differentiation of a function using the basic formulas
• Compute implicit differentiation
• Interpret the derivative of a function at a point as the instantaneous rate of change
• Apply the Mean Value Theorem, L’H𝑜̂pital rule
• Approximate the value of the derivative a point using the forward difference quotient
• Approximate numerical differentiation using the Newton-Raphson method
• Apply the learnt outcomes to solve the engineering related problems

First principle derivative

To find the slope of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) at point M, we can approximate the slope by taking a point
somewhere near to M (x1, f(x1)), say N (x2, f(x2)). The MN line act as the tangent line to the
curve at point M.

f(x)
N(x2, f(x2))

M (x1, f(x1)) Δy

Δx=h y = f(x)

∆𝑦
The slope of the tangent can be written as 𝑚 = ∆𝑥 . Now, if we move point N closer and closer
to point M, the distance of MN is getting closer as shown in Figures. The slope approximation
of MN would be getting closer and closer to the actual value, i.e. tangent line at point M. This
is reflected by the condition when Δx is getting smaller and smaller towards 0.

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

M N M N
y = f(x) y = f(x)

Figure 1.3.2 Figure 1.3.3

∆𝑦 𝑓(𝑥2 ) − 𝑓(𝑥1 )
𝑚= =
∆𝑥 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
𝑓(𝑥1 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥1 )
=
ℎ

In order to get the best slope at P, the value h shall approach zero (h→0). Thus,
𝑑𝑦 𝑓(𝑥1 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
= lim = 𝑓 ′ (𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 ℎ→0 ℎ

This is called the first principle derivative or the rate of change in y with respect to x. Within
the limits function, dy represents the tangent line rises/falls and ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
represents the secant line.

M
dy= Δy
dx = Δx=h y = f(x)

In summary, the derivative is the slope evaluated from the original function which can also
be visualized from graphs.

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Definition
The derivative of the function f(x) with respect to x is the function f’(x) and is defined as

𝑑𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim
𝑑𝑥 ℎ→0 ℎ
Provided the limit exist. The f is differentiable at x.

Example
𝑑𝑦
Find 𝑑𝑥 from first principles if 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 3

Solutions
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑦 ′ = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
2
′
[(𝑥 + ℎ) − 3] − [𝑥 2 − 3]
𝑦 = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
2
𝑥 + 2𝑥ℎ + ℎ2 − 𝑥 2
𝑦 ′ = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
′
𝑦 = lim 2𝑥 + ℎ
ℎ→0
𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥

Continuity and differentiability

A function is differentiable at x if f’(x) exists and f(x) has a derivative everywhere in its domain
(derivative exists for each point within the interval). The function f(x) must be continuous and
smooth.
Theorem:
If f(x) has a derivative at x=a, the f is continuous at x=a.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑
= 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑦 ′ = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
f is NOT differentiable at x=a when x is at

(i) A corner or cusp y

x
a
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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

(ii) Discontinuity y

x
a
y
(iii) Vertical tangent

x
a
The rules for differentiation

𝑑
1) Constant rule: (𝑐) = 0
𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑑
2) Constant multiple rule: (𝑐𝑥 𝑛 ) = 𝑐 (𝑥 𝑛 ) = 𝑐𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑
3) Power rule: (𝑥 𝑛 ) = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1
𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
4) Sum & Difference rule: [𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑑𝑥 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑
5) Natural exponential rule: (𝑒 𝑥 ) = 𝑒 𝑥
𝑑𝑥

𝑑
6) Product rule: [𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓 ′ (𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥) + 𝑔′ (𝑥). 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓 ′ (𝑥).𝑔(𝑥) − 𝑔′ (𝑥).𝑓(𝑥)

7) Quotient rule: [ ] =)
𝑑𝑥 𝑔(𝑥) [𝑔(𝑥)]2

𝑑𝑦
8) Higher order derivatives: 𝑦 ′ = 𝑑𝑥 first derivative of y with respect to x
𝑑𝑦′ 𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
𝑦 ′′ = = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑥 2 second derivative
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦′′
𝑦 ′′′ = third derivative
𝑑𝑥
⋮ ⋮
𝑑𝑦 𝑛
Functions 𝑦 (𝑛) = nth derivative
Derivative
𝑑𝑥

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Constant f ( x) = c f '( x) = 0
Power rule f ( x) = x n
f '( x) = nx n −1
Product rule f ( x), g ( x) ( fg )' = f ' g + g ' f
f ( x) = sin x f '( x) = cos x
g ( x) = cos x g '( x) = − sin x
f ( x) = tan x f '( x) = sec2 x
Trigonometry functions g ( x) = cot x g '( x) = −csc 2 x
f ( x) = sec x f '( x) = sec x tan x
g ( x) = csc x g '( x) = −csc x cot x
f ( x) = e x f '( x) = e x
g ( x) = a x g '( x) = a x ln a
f ( x) = ln x 1
Exponential & Logarithm f '( x) =
g ( x) = log a x x
1
g '( x) =
x ln a
f ( x) = sin −1 x f '( x) =
1
g ( x) = cos −1 x 1 − x2
1
g '( x) = −
1 − x2
f ( x) = tan −1 x f '( x) =
1
g ( x) = cot −1 x 1 + x2
Inverse trigonometry 1
g '( x) = −
1 + x2
f ( x) = sec−1 x 1
f '( x) =
g ( x) = csc−1 x x x2 − 1
1
g '( x) = −
x x2 − 1
f ( x) = sinh x f '( x) = cosh x
g ( x) = cosh x g '( x) = − sinh x
f ( x) = tanh x f '( x) = sech 2 x
Hyperbolic functions g ( x) = coth x g '( x) = − csc h 2 x
f ( x) = sech x f '( x) = sech x tanh x
g ( x) = csch x g '( x) = − csc h x coth x

Example
Find the horizontal tangents of 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 1

Solutions
𝑑𝑦
= 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥
𝑑𝑥

The horizontal tangents occur when slope = zero

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

1.5
3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 = 0 1
y= 1
𝑥(3𝑥 − 6) = 0
0.5
𝑥=0 & 𝑥=2
0
-2 -1 -0.5 0 1 2 3 4
By inserting the values x into the
-1
original function y:
-1.5 3 2
y= x - 3x + 1
-2
𝑥 = 0; 𝑦 = 1
𝑥 = 2; 𝑦 = −3 -2.5
-3
-3.5 y= -3

10

6
dy/dx= 3x2 - 6x
4

0
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
-2

-4 y= x3 - 3x2 + 1

The chain rule

By considering the simple composite function

𝑦 = 25𝑥 2 + 20𝑥 + 4 = (5𝑥 + 2)2 𝑦 = 25𝑥 2 + 20𝑥 + 4 𝑦 = 𝑢2 𝑢 = 5𝑥 + 2

𝐼𝑓 𝑢 = 5𝑥 + 2
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 = 𝑢2
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= 50𝑥 + 20 = 2𝑢 =5
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
= 2(5𝑥 + 2)
𝑑𝑢

𝑑𝑦
= 10𝑥 + 4
𝑑𝑢

50𝑥 + 20 = (10𝑥 + 4) (5)

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= .
This is called the chain rule 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Suppose g is differentiable at x and f is differentiable at g(x), then

If we define F(x)=(f.g(x)) , the derivative of F(x) :

𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑓 ′ 𝑎𝑡 𝑔(𝑥) . 𝑔′ 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑓 ′ (𝑔(𝑥)). 𝑔′ (𝑥)

If we define y = f(u) and u = g(x) , the derivative of y is

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= .
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥

Example
Given that the 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4.
Use the chain rule to find (𝑓. 𝑔)′ at x = 2

Solutions

f ( g ( x ) ) = sin ( x 2 − 4 )

y = sin ( x 2 − 4 ) y = sin u & u = x 2 − 4

dy du
= cos u = 2x
du dx
dy dy du
= 
dx du dx
dy
= cos u  2 x
dx

= cos ( x 2 − 4 )  2 x
dy
dx

= cos ( 22 − 4 )  2  2
dy
At x = 2,
dx
𝑑𝑦
= cos(0) . 4 = 4
𝑑𝑥

Rates of change:
A rate of change shows the rate of how one quantity changes in relation to another quantity. If x is
the independent variable and y is the dependent variable, then

change in y dy
Rate of change = =
change in x dx

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Rate of change can be positive (increase in y-value) or negative (decrease in y-value) or even zero
(no change).

(a) Positive rate (b) Negative rate

(c) Zero rate

Example

A simple circuit consist of a battery, resistors and a switch. When the switch is closed, current flows
through the circuit. Knowing that the amount of voltage satisfies the Ohm’s law V = IR , the voltage
slowly decreases as the battery wears out. At the same time, the resistance R increases as the resistor
heats up.

Find how much the current is charging at the instant when R = 600  , I = 0.04 A ,
dR dV
= 0.5 ohm/sec , and = −0.01 volt/sec .
dt dt

Solution

dV  V  dI   V  dR 
=  +  
dt  I  dt   R  dt 

 dI 
−0.01 = 600   + 0.04(0.5)
 dt 
 dI 
600   = −0.03
 dt 
dI
= −5  10−5 A/sec
dt

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Rectilinear motion
One of the important applications of derivative is the rectilinear motion of an object, that f’(x)
represents the rate of change of f(x). Velocity is the first derivative of distance. Consider a
graph of distance vs. time.

Mean Value Theorem

If f(x) is a function that Δs

1. f(x) is continuous on the closed interval [a,b].

2. f(x) is differentiable Δt
on the open interval (a,b).

There is a value c betweenTime

point a and b where

𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑓 ′ (𝑐) =
𝑏−𝑎

𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎) = (𝑏 − 𝑎)𝑓 ′ (𝑐)

At some point within the closed interval, the actual slope equals the average slope.

Secant line
Mean Value Theorem
𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑚 = 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) 𝑚=
𝑏−𝑎
f(x)

a c b

Example
Determine the numbers of c that satisfy the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem for
𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10 on [0,2].

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Solutions
𝑓′(𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 6
f(0) = 10 f(2) = 50
In order to find the numbers that satisfies the conclusion of Mean Value Theorem,
𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑓 ′ (𝑐) =
𝑏−𝑎

50 − 10
12𝑐 2 + 10𝑐 − 6 = = 20
2−0

12𝑐 2 + 10𝑐 − 26 = 0

−10 ± √100 − 4(12)(−26)

𝑐= = 1.1131 and − 1.9465
24

c = 1.1131 is within the interval [0,2].

There are a few facts that can be proven using the Mean Value Theorem, if the functions are
continuous and differentiable on the interval [a,b].

Fact 1
If f’(x) = 0 for all x in an open interval of [𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ]. Then, the function f(x) is constant on [𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ].

Prove
𝑓(𝑥2 ) − 𝑓(𝑥1 )
𝑓 ′ (𝑐) =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
If 𝑥1 < 𝑐 < 𝑥2 and f’(x) = 0

𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0

Thus, 𝑓(𝑥2 ) = 𝑓(𝑥1 ). So, the function f(x) is constant between the given interval.

Fact 2:
If f’(x) = g’(x) for all x in an open interval of [𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ]. Then, in this interval, we have
f(x) = g(x) + c where c is some constant.

Prove
Since both f(x) and g(x) are continuous and differentiable functions in an open interval of
[𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ], these two functions have the same slope at any value of x, so we let the difference
between two functions be h(x).

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)

ℎ′(𝑥) = 𝑓′(𝑥) − 𝑔′(𝑥)

By assuming 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑔′(𝑥) between the interval [𝑥1 , 𝑥2 ], so ℎ′ (𝑥) = 0 . By using the Fact 1,
ℎ′ (𝑥) is a constant n the interval. Thus,
ℎ′ (𝑥) = 𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) + 𝑐

c
c
c

f(x)
g(x)
c
Figure 1.3.20

L’ Hôpital’s Rule
In the previous topic of limit and continuity, we deal with the methods to solve the following
limits.

𝑥 2 −𝑥 4𝑥 2 −5𝑥
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2 −1 and lim
𝑥→1 𝑥→∞ 1+3𝑥 2

In this first case both (𝑥 2 − 𝑥) →0 and (𝑥 2 − 1)→0 when x→1, meanwhile, in the second
case, both (4𝑥 2 − 5𝑥) →∞ and (1 + 3𝑥 2 )→ ∞ when 𝑥 →∞. These limits may or may not
exist (called indeterminate forms).

𝑓(𝑥) 0 𝑓(𝑥) ±∞
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) = 0 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑔(𝑥) = ±∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎

As seen under limits and continuity section, to deal with indeterminate forms, the common
factors can be simplified.

𝑥2 − 𝑥 𝑥(𝑥 − 1) 𝑥 1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 2
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 =
𝑥→1 𝑥 − 1 𝑥→1 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥→1 (𝑥 + 1) 2

5
4𝑥 2 −5𝑥 4−
𝑥 4
lim = lim 1 =3
𝑥→∞ 1+3𝑥 2 𝑥→∞ 2 +3
𝑥

However, we are not able to factorize some limits. The following are two examples of
0 ∞
indeterminate forms; 0 and ∞
that we are unable to compute by simplifications.

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

sin 𝑥 𝑒𝑥
𝑙𝑖𝑚 and 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→∞

The L’ Hôpital’s Rule is usually applied to cases of indeterminate forms.

L’ Hôpital’s Rule

Suppose we have f(x) and g(x) are differentiable where 𝑔′ (𝑥) ≠ 0 near value of a (any real
number, infinity or negative infinity). For indeterminate forms
𝑓(𝑥) 0 𝑓(𝑥) ±∞
𝑙𝑖𝑚 =0 or 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = ±∞
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓′(𝑥)
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎 𝑔′(𝑥)

0 ∞
L’ Hôpital’s Rule says that if we have an indeterminate form 0 or ∞ , all we require to do is to
differentiate the numerator and denominator prior to computing its limit.

Example

Evaluate each of the following limits:

sin 𝑥
(a) 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑒𝑥
(b) 𝑙𝑖𝑚
𝑥→∞ 𝑥 2
(c) 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥
𝑥→0

Solutions

(a) 𝑓 ′ (sin 𝑥) = cos 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 1

sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 1
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 =1 = 1
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 1

(b) 𝑓 ′ (ex ) = ex 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔′ (𝑥 2 ) = 2𝑥

ex ex ∞
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥 2 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 2𝑥 =
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ ∞

∞
For this case, the new limit is still ∞ indeterminate form, Thus, we apply L’ Hôpital’s Rule
once again. The L’Hôpital’s rule can be applied as many times as necessary as long as the
fraction is still indeterminate.

𝑓 ′′ (ex ) = ex 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔′′ (𝑥 2 ) = 2

ex ex
𝑙𝑖𝑚 2𝑥 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 =∞
𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞ 2

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

(c) For this limit, we get the (0)(∞) indeterminate forms, L’ Hôpital’s Rule cannot work!
What we require to do is to convert the limit to a quotient.
𝑙𝑛𝑥
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 1⁄
𝑥→0 𝑥
𝑥→0

𝑓 ′ (𝑙𝑛𝑥) = 1⁄𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔′ (1⁄𝑥 ) = −1⁄𝑥 2

𝑙𝑛𝑥 1⁄
𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑥 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 1⁄ = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 −1 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚(−𝑥) = 0
𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑥→0 ⁄𝑥 2 𝑥→0
𝑥→0

We can also prove the L’ Hôpital’s Rule by working backwards

f ( x) − f (a)
f  ( a ) lim
x →a x−a
=
g ( a ) g ( x) − g (a)
lim
x →a x−a

f ( x) − f (a)
= lim x−a
x →a g ( x ) − g ( a )

x−a
f ( x) − 0 f ( x)
= lim = lim
x→a g ( x) − 0 x→a g ( x)

Newton Raphson's method for approximating roots

Suppose you have a spherical oil storage tank of 6 ft in diameter. You are asked to find the
height, h that is filled with oil if the tank stored 6 ft3 of oil. The function of h is given as

𝑓(ℎ) = ℎ3 − 9ℎ2 + 3.8197 = 0

Dipstick

Spherical storage tank

There are formulas to solve for the third-degree polynomial functions but they are extremely
complicated. How about if the question involves a degree 4 polynomial or even higher? For
such cases, we can solve using the numerical root finder methods. One of the most commonly

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

used methods is the Newton’s method which is also called the Newton-Raphson method. The
Newton-Raphson method is based on Taylor series expansion concept.
x 2
f ( xi +1 ) = f ( xi ) + f ( xi )x + f ( xi ) + Ox 3
2!
The root is the value of x i +1 when f(x i +1 ) = 0

0 = f(xi ) + f (xi )( xi +1 − xi )
f ( xi )
xi +1 = xi − n = 0,1,2,3....
f ( xi )

Initial guess at the root is xi , a tangent can be extended from the point ( xi , f(xi) ). The point
where this tangent cross the x axis represents an improved estimation for root, xi+1 (Figure
1.3.22).

Newton Raphson's method

Step 1: Guess a first approximation xo

Step 2: Use the 1st approximation (xo) to determined point (x1), use point x1 to
determine the point x2 and so on by formula

f ( xi )
xi +1 = xi − xi = 0, 1, 2, 3….
f ( xi )

Step 3: Stop when |xn+1 - xn| < es , es is the specific error that we can tolerate in our
calculation or stop when
| x n +1 - x n |
x100%  s%
x n +1

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 EUM113Lecture Notes 2021/2022
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Loh Wei Ping
School of Mechanical Engineering, USM

Example
By using the previous example on oil storage tank, we try to find the height h for the tank
using the Newton-Raphson’s method.

Solutions
𝑓(ℎ) = ℎ3 − 9ℎ2 + 3.8197
𝑓′(ℎ) = 3ℎ2 − 18ℎ

Let us that the initial guess of the root f(h)=0 as ho = 1

𝑓(ℎ0 )
ℎ1 = ℎ0 −
𝑓′(ℎ0 )
(1)3 − 9(1)2 + 3.8197
ℎ1 = 1 −
3(1)2 − 18(1)
ℎ1 = 0.72131

The relative estimate error, ∈𝑠

0.72131 − 1
∈𝑠 = × 100 = 38.64%
0.72131

Second iteration:
𝑓(ℎ1 )
ℎ2 = ℎ1 −
𝑓′(ℎ1 )
(0.72131)3 − 9(0.72131)2 + 3.8197
ℎ1 = 0.72131 −
3(0.72131)2 − 18(0.72131)
ℎ1 = 0.67862

The relative estimate error, ∈𝑠

0.67862 − 0.72131
∈𝑠 = × 100 = 6.29%
0.67862

Third iteration:
𝑓(ℎ2 )
ℎ3 = ℎ2 −
𝑓′(ℎ2 )
(0.67862)3 − 9(0.67862)2 + 3.8197
ℎ1 = 0.67862 −
3(0.67862)2 − 18(0.67862)
ℎ1 = 0.67747
The relative estimate error, ∈𝑠
0.67747 − 0.67862
∈𝑠 = × 100 = 0.17%
0.67747
Since only 0.17% between the previous and current iteration, the calculation could stop here.
The higher the number of iterations, the more accurate is the approximation of height h. In
this case, the height of tank with 6 ft3 of oil volume is 0.67747 ft.

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