The Bisection Method (VCE SSCE Mathematical Methods): Flashcards

Approximate solutions to $f(x) = 0$

$f(x) = 0$ where $f$ is a polynomial function

$f(a)$ and $f(b)$ must have opposite signs

Repeatedly halving an interval containing the solution

$m = \frac{a + b}{2}$

Error approximately halves with each iteration

Choose interval $[a, m]$

Informal way of writing algorithms

Don't know in advance how many iterations needed

Always converges if solution exists in initial interval