Trial and Improvement (Edexcel GCSE Maths): Flashcards

A technique to find approximate solutions to equations that cannot be solved easily using standard algebraic methods

Only when specifically told to do so in the question

Approximate solutions, not exact

Start with 2 values: one too big, one too small

Choose value between previous two, closer to target

Continue narrowing down the range between closest values

Take exact middle value between final two values

When two values differ by only 1 in the final digit

Always show your working clearly

Use a clear table with $x$ values, results, and too big/small

Giving final answer to wrong number of decimal places

Systematic and logical approach, not random guessing