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Papers 1 and 2 · Pure9.3 Numerical methods

Question 1 · 7 marks

  • Calculator allowed
Spec and skills
  • Paper scope: Pure 1/2
  • Spec P9.3
  • Original practice question
f(x)=x3−3x+1f(x) = x^3 - 3x + 1. The equation f(x)=0f(x) = 0 has a root α\alpha between 0.3 and 0.4.
(a)
Find f′(x)f'(x) and explain why x0=1x_0 = 1 cannot be used as a starting value for the Newton-Raphson method.
2 marks

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