Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · Numerical solution of equations

Numerical solution of equations — practice question

The sketch illustrates the curve $y = \sqrt{x} \sin 2x$ for $0 \leq x \leq \frac{1}{2}\pi$. This curve reaches a highest point at $M$, where $x = a$.
(a)[4]

Show that $\tan 2a = -4a$.

(b)[2]

Show by calculation that $0.9 \le a \le 0.95$.

(c)[2]

Show that if a sequence of values produced by the iterative formula $x_{n+1} = \tfrac{1}{2}\left(\pi - \tan^{-1}(4x_n)\right)$ converges, then it converges to $a$.

(d)[3]

Use the iterative formula from part (c) to find $a$ correct to 4 decimal places, and write each iterate to 6 decimal places.

Worked solution & mark scheme

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