Chapter 2

ROOTS OF EQUATION:
BRACKETING METHODS
Copyright The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

Roots of Equations
Why?

But

ax 2 bx c 0

b b 2 4ac
x
2a

ax5 bx 4 cx3 dx 2 ex f 0 x ?
sin x x 0 x ?

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

Nonlinear Equation
Solvers

Bracketing

Graphical

Bisection
False Position
(Regula-Falsi)

Open Methods

Newton Raphson
Secant

ALL ITERATIVE
by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

BRACKETING METHODS
(Or, two point methods for finding roots)
Two initial guesses for the
root are required. These
guesses must bracket or be
on either side of the root.
== > Fig. 5.1
If one root of a real and
continuous function, f(x)=0,
is bounded by values x=xl, x
=xu then
f(xl) . f(xu) <0. (The function
changes sign on opposite sides of the
root)

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

Part 1:
GRAPHICAL METHODS

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

GRAPHICAL METHODS
Simple method obtain an estimate of root of
equation.
Used to provide visual insight into the
technique.
Make a plot of function & observe the x-axis
cross rough approximation of the root.
Limited practical value not precise.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

 Fig. (a) and (c) f(xl) & f(xu) have same signs no
roots / even number of roots within the interval.
Fig. (b) and (d) function have different signs odd
number of roots in the interval

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

f(x) = sin 10x + cos 3x

Figure 5.4a

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

Example 1
Use the graphical approach to determine the drag coefficient c needed
for a parachutist of mass m=68.1 kg to have a velocity of 40 m/s after
free-falling for time t=10 s. (Note: The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8
m/s2)

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

Part 2:
THE BISECTION METHOD

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

10

THE BISECTION METHOD

Incremental search method interval is always divided in half.

Locating of the interval is where function changes sign.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

11

Procedures
For the arbitrary equation of one variable, f(x)=0
1. Choose xl and xu for the root where function
changes sign, check if f(xl).f(xu) < 0.
2. Estimate the root, xr by evaluating x xl xu
r
2
3. Find the pair

If f(xl). f(xr) < 0, root lies in the lower interval, then xu= xr and go to step 2.
If f(xl). f(xr) > 0, root lies in the upper interval, then xl=xr, go to step 2.
If f(xl). f(xr) = 0, then root is xr and terminate.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

12

4. Compare es with ea . If ea< es, stop. Otherwise repeat the

process.

ea

ea

old
x new

x
r
r
new

xr

100 %

True value Approximation value

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

True value

Chapter 2

100%

13

Evaluation of Method
Pros
Easy
Always find root
Number of iterations required to
attain an absolute error can be
computed a priori.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Cons
Slow
Know a and b that bound root
Multiple roots
No account is taken of f(xl) and
f(xu), if f(xl) is closer to zero, it is
likely that root is closer to xl .

Chapter 2

14

Example 2
Use bisection method to solve the same problem approached
graphically in Example 1.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

17

Part 3:
THE FALSE-POSITION
METHOD

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

18

THE FALSE-POSITION METHOD

(Regula-Falsi)
Also called linear interpolation method.
An alternative based on a graphical insight.
Alternative method to join f(xl) and f(xu) by a straight line.
Intersection line with x-axis improved estimation of root.
Advantages: Faster & always converges for a single root.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

19

Procedures
1. Choose xl and xu for the root where function
changes sign, check if f(xl).f(xu) < 0.
2. Estimate the value of the root from the following
formula

xu f l xl f u
xr
fl fu
and evaluate f(xr).

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

20

3. Find the pair

If f(xl). f(xr) < 0, root lies in the lower interval, then xu= xr and go to step 2.

If f(xl). f(xr) > 0, root lies in the upper interval, then xl=xr, go to step 2.

If f(xl). f(xr) = 0, then root is xr and terminate.

4. Compare es with ea . If ea< es, stop. Otherwise repeat the process.
@

ea

old
x new

x
r
r
new

xr

100 %

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

ea

True value Approximation value

Chapter 2

True value

100%

21

Example 3
Use false-position method to solve the same problem approached
graphically in Example 1.

by Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University

Chapter 2

22