Koshy-Newton’s Method To Approximate

Roots of f(x)

An adapted, more intuitive version of newton’s method

By Joshua Koshy
 Explanation

Given some crazy polynomial, let’s say you are faced with
finding the roots of f(x) = x5-5x+1. Since there is no formula to
find these roots, how would you do it? Well, there is the rational
roots test, but that’s boring and takes a long time. The other
alternative is Newton’s method. This method is: xn+1 = xn -
f(xn)/f’(xn). Why is this method the way it is? Sure, this method
is very fast to approximate roots, but we do not understand the
intuition or logic behind it. So, let me introduce you to
Koshy-Newton’s Method. This method runs on the same
principles as Newton’s method, but uses a more intuitive method
to find the roots of a function. Let’s say we have f(x) = x2+2x+1.
We know what the root of this function is. By completing the
square, we get x = -1. But, hear me out. We can get this root by
simply guessing: let’s guess 0. Okay, you should know an
important pattern. When you calculate a function and its
derivative, and plug in a given point into its derivative, the
tangent line will be closer to the real root than your guess.
Here’s a visual:
 Explanation - Continued

Okay, now that we’ve established this fact, we are able to:
1. Make a guess
2. Evaluate the derivative for slope
3. Solve for y intercept (b) using y = mx+b
4. Set that linear equation to 0 for x
5. Rinse and Repeat

If you haven’t caught on yet, this is fundamentally what

Newton’s method does. It just doesn’t make it obvious. Okay, so
given f(x) = x2+2x+1, our guess is 0. Since f’(x) = 2x+2, f’(0) =
2. Using y = mx + b,
1 = 2x + b
1 = 2(0) + b
1=b
b=1

Therefore, our slope intercept form is y = 2x + 1. Now, when we

set that equal to 0, we get x = -½. Now, we rinse and repeat.
Here is a literal version: (next page)
0 = mx + b Slope intercept form set equal
to 0
0 = f’(xn)(xn+1) + b m = f’(xn), x = xn+1, solving for
xn+1
-b = f’(xn)(xn+1) Subtracted b
-b/f’(xn) = xn+1 Divided by f’(xn)
-(y-mx)/f’(xn) = xn+1 Rewrote -b as -(y-mx) from
solving y = mx + b for b
xn+1 = -y+mx/f’(xn)+ Finished model

Despite not being as efficient as Newton’s method, now we have

the intuition on how it works and how to properly solve for
roots.

Thanks for reading.

My name is Joshua Koshy, an incoming sophomore at Mountain Lakes High School and an aspiring
astrophysicist. My mission is to fulfill the world with the intricacies of mathematics and geometry as a
whole. Written 8/3/2023.