CAIE P2 2016 March — Question 4

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleP2 (Pure Mathematics 2)
Year2016
SessionMarch
TopicFixed Point Iteration

4 The sequence of values given by the iterative formula $$x _ { n + 1 } = \sqrt { } \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } x _ { n } ^ { 2 } + 4 x _ { n } ^ { - 3 } \right)$$ with initial value \(x _ { 1 } = 1.5\), converges to \(\alpha\).
  1. Use this iterative formula to find \(\alpha\) correct to 3 decimal places. Give the result of each iteration to 5 decimal places.
  2. State an equation that is satisfied by \(\alpha\) and hence find the exact value of \(\alpha\).