QQQ – PureYr2 - Chapter 10 –

Numerical Methods (v1)

Total Marks: 15
(15 = Platinum, 13 = Gold, 12 = Silver, 11 = Bronze)

1.

Figure 1

Figure 1 is a sketch showing part of the curve with equation y = 2x + 1 – 3 and part of the line
with equation y = 17 – x. The curve and the line intersect at the point A.

(a) Show that the x-coordinate of A satisfies the equation

ln (20−x )
x = ln 2 –1.
(3)
(b) Use the iterative formula

ln (20−x n )
xn + 1 = ln 2 –1, x0 = 3,

to calculate the values of x1, x2 and x3, giving your answers to 3 decimal places. (3)
(c) Use your answer to part (b) to deduce the coordinates of the point A, giving your answers
to one decimal place. (2)

(d) Using the provided figure, draw a suitable diagram to show the approximation of the x
coordinate of A, from x 0 up to x 2. (2)

2. α is the only real root of the equation

3 2
x −x −6=0Taking 2.2 as a first approximation to α , apply the Newton-Raphson
procedure once to f ( x )=x 3− x2−6 to obtain a second approximation to α , giving your
answer to 3 decimal places.
(5)

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Solutions (all questions © Edexcel, augmented by Dr Frost)

Question 1

(d)

ln ( 20−x )
B1 Initial line North from x 0 stopping at y= −1 line, then East to y=x
ln ( 2 )
B1 Both of x 1 and x 2 correctly indicated on cobweb diagram.
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Question 2

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