Exercise · ZW-BISECTION-METHOD-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

For \( f(x) = x^3 - x - 2 \) on \( [1, 2] \), \( f(1) = -2 \) and \( f(1.5) = -0.125 \). In which subinterval is the root?

Choose one option.

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  • B. \( [1.5, 2] \)

Explanation

Since \( f(1) = -2 \) and \( f(1.5) = -0.125 \) have the same sign, there is no sign change on \( [1, 1.5] \). Since \( f(2) = 4 > 0 \), the sign change lies in \( [1.5, 2] \).

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Review the concept: Bisection method

The bisection method is an iterative algorithm that approximates a root of a continuous function \( f(x) \) on an interval \( [a, b] \) with a sign change, halving the interval at each step.

\[c_n = \frac{a_n + b_n}{2},\quad |c_n - r| \le \frac{b-a}{2^{n+1}}\]

More practice problems: bisection method

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