Newton's Method For Finding Zeros of Functions: Visually and Numerically
- Author:
- quasikevin
- Topic:
- Functions
This worksheet demonstrates Newton's method for finding the zero of a function on the real line. The function and the initial ``guess" for the location of a zero of can be supplied by the user. A spreadsheet then calculates the value , the slope of the tangent to at , and the intersection of the corresponding tangent line with the -axis. This intersection is the new ``guess". These elements are displayed graphically as well, indicating the success (or failure) of the method.