Chapter 4: Problem 22
Sketch the graph of \(y=x^{1 / 3}\). Obviously, its only \(x\) intercept is zero. Convince yourself that Newton's Method fails to converge to the root of \(x^{1 / 3}=0\). Explain this failure.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Newton's Method fails because the slope \( f'(x) \) becomes undefined or infinite near the root at \( x = 0 \).
Step by step solution
01
Identifying the function
We start with the function given in the problem: \( f(x) = x^{1/3} \). Our goal is to understand the behavior of this function, particularly around the point \(x = 0\).
02
Analyzing the derivative
The next step involves computing the derivative \( f'(x) \) of the function \( f(x) = x^{1/3} \). We use the power rule for derivatives: \( f'(x) = \frac{1}{3}x^{-2/3} = \frac{1}{3} \cdot \frac{1}{x^{2/3}} \). Notice that as \( x \) approaches zero, \( f'(x) \) becomes undefined (or tends towards infinity), indicating a vertical tangent line at \( x = 0 \).
03
Sketching the graph
The graph of \( y = x^{1/3} \) resembles a curve that flattens and approaches a vertical tangent near the origin (0,0). It is symmetric about the origin due to its odd nature. The key features are the flattening slope near the x-axis intercept.
04
Explaining Newton's Method
Newton's Method is an iterative root-finding algorithm defined by \( x_{n+1} = x_n - \frac{f(x_n)}{f'(x_n)} \). The process depends heavily on \( f'(x_n) \) being defined and not zero.
05
Identifying the failure
Newton's Method fails for \( f(x) = x^{1/3} \) at \( x = 0 \) because the derivative \( f'(x) \) becomes undefined at this point. The update rule \( x_{n+1} = x_n - \frac{x_n^{1/3}}{\frac{1}{3}x_n^{-2/3}} \) depends on dividing by zero or an undefined value, preventing the convergence.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Root-finding algorithm
Root-finding algorithms are techniques used to find the roots or solutions of a given equation. In our case, we are dealing with Newton's Method. Newton's Method is an iterative approach that
This method requires the derivative to be well-defined and non-zero. Therefore, if the derivative at a guessed point is zero or undefined, Newton's Method may not work well or at all. This can lead to convergence failure, which we'll explore further in another section.
- starts with an initial guess,
- calculates a better guess using a specific formula,
- continues the process until a satisfactory level of accuracy is achieved.
This method requires the derivative to be well-defined and non-zero. Therefore, if the derivative at a guessed point is zero or undefined, Newton's Method may not work well or at all. This can lead to convergence failure, which we'll explore further in another section.
Graph of x^(1/3)
The function given by \(f(x) = x^{1/3}\) represents a cube root, leading to a curve with certain interesting features. The key
It's worthwhile to sketch this graph to better understand it:
- It is symmetric about the origin owing to its odd function characteristic, meaning \(f(-x) = -f(x)\).
- The graph tends to flatten out as \(x\) approaches zero and again after moving away from zero.
It's worthwhile to sketch this graph to better understand it:
- Observe that the graph passes through the origin (0,0) since \(x^{1/3} = 0\) at \(x = 0\).
- The graph appears to have a vertical tangent at the origin due to the quick changing slope near \(x = 0\).
Derivative analysis
Understanding the derivative of \(f(x) = x^{1/3}\) is crucial for solving this problem.
Using the power rule for derivatives, we derive:\[ f'(x) = \frac{1}{3}x^{-2/3} = \frac{1}{3} \cdot \frac{1}{x^{2/3}} \]This result shows the derivative becomes undefined as \(x\) approaches zero because \(x^{-2/3}\) heads towards infinity.
Here are some important points regarding this analysis:
Using the power rule for derivatives, we derive:\[ f'(x) = \frac{1}{3}x^{-2/3} = \frac{1}{3} \cdot \frac{1}{x^{2/3}} \]This result shows the derivative becomes undefined as \(x\) approaches zero because \(x^{-2/3}\) heads towards infinity.
Here are some important points regarding this analysis:
- The derivative indicates the slope of the tangent line of the function at a given point.
- An undefined or infinite derivative suggests a vertical tangent line at that point.
Convergence failure
Convergence failure refers to a situation where a method does not arrive at the expected result. This problem occurs with Newton's Method applied to \(f(x) = x^{1/3}\) because
- the derivative \( f'(x) \) becomes undefined at \( x = 0 \), which is where we need it to compute the algorithm's iteration steps, and
- the formula \(x_{n+1} = x_n - \frac{f(x_n)}{f'(x_n)}\) breaks down as dividing by an undefined or infinite quantity does not yield a meaningful new approximation.
- derivatives being zero or undefined at critical points,
- choice of poor initial guesses that are close to where derivatives fail.