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The diagram shows the curve \(y = x ^ { 4 } - 2 x ^ { 3 } - 7 x - 6\). The curve intersects the \(x\)-axis at the points \(( a , 0 )\) and \(( b , 0 )\), where \(a < b\). It is given that \(b\) is an integer.
- Find the value of \(b\).
- Hence show that \(a\) satisfies the equation \(a = - \frac { 1 } { 3 } \left( 2 + a ^ { 2 } + a ^ { 3 } \right)\).
- Use an iterative formula based on the equation in part (ii) to determine \(a\) correct to 3 decimal places. Give the result of each iteration to 5 decimal places.