SPS SPS SM Pure 2023 February — Question 7 2 marks

Exam BoardSPS
ModuleSPS SM Pure (SPS SM Pure)
Year2023
SessionFebruary
Marks2
TopicFixed Point Iteration

7. The function f is defined by $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = 3 ^ { x } \sqrt { x } - 1 \quad \text { where } x \geq 0$$
  1. \(\quad \mathrm { f } ( x ) = 0\) has a single solution at the point \(x = \alpha\) By considering a suitable change of sign, show that \(\alpha\) lies between 0 and 1
    [0pt] [2 marks]
    1. Show that $$\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x ) = \frac { 3 ^ { x } ( 1 + x \ln 9 ) } { 2 \sqrt { x } }$$
  2. (ii) Use the Newton-Raphson method with \(x _ { 1 } = 1\) to find \(x _ { 3 }\), an approximation for \(\alpha\). Give your answer to five decimal places.
  3. (iii) Explain why the Newton-Raphson method fails to find \(\alpha\) with \(x _ { 1 } = 0\)