Math 171 - Alexiades
                              Lab 10
                 Finding roots - Bisection

A. Bisection code
  Write a code bisect.m that implements the bisection method for finding a root of F(x) = 0 in an interval [a , b] to a given accuracy.
  The code should accept inputs:   a , b, TOL , should print out the iterates:   n   x   F(x)   ERRn  
  (neatly, in columns, use format: %4d   %f   %e   %e ), and upon convergence it should print out:
  value of the root, the residual, the error and how many iterations it took.
  The (formula for the) function F(x) should be coded in a function subprogram:   function y = FCN(x)
  You may set   maxIT=100;   in the code.
  Of course, you must debug the code ( on a problem with known solution, e.g. F(x)=1.3−x on [1,2], TOL=1.e-7 and 1.e-14 ).

B. Graphical method
  Let's try to find the zero(s) of the function   F(x) = x3 + x2 − 3x − 3   i.e. the root(s) of the equation: F(x) = 0.
1. First, of course, we ask: Are there any?   Plot it to get an idea what the curve y=F(x) looks like.
  This is easiest to do in gnuplot:   gnuplot> F(x) = x**3+x**2−3*x−3 ; plot F(x)   To see the grid: set grid ; replot
  It crosses the x-axis and looks very flat on it, ...many roots ? (think: at most how many roots could this F have ? )
  Notice the very big range on the y-axis which makes small variations invisible, so we can't really see much at this scale.
2. To resolve it better, plot it on a smaller interval, say, [−2,2]:
    gnuplot> set xrange [−2:2] ; replot  ( an alternative way is:   plot [−2:2] F(x) )
  It looks much better, doesn't it?   It crosses the axis three times, so there are three real roots.
  Write down rough estimates of the three roots (at least 2 decimals).
3. Now let's focus on the largest root to resolve it better: Magnify the scale (zoom-in) around the largest root:
    gnuplot> set xrange [1:2]   and: replot
  Now it is better resolved, and can zoom-in further: gnuplot> set xrange [1.6 : 1.8]   and: replot
  Repeat zooming in until you can estimate the root to at least four decimals, and write it down.
  This is the Graphical Method for finding roots of (simple) functions.
  Can you "guess" the exact value of the largest root ? Write it down.

C. Bisection Method
1. Now that we know our function has a (single) root in [1, 2], and it has opposite signs at x=1 and x=2,
  we can use the Bisection Method to locate the root as accurately as we want,
  provided F(x) is continuous on [1, 2]. Is it ?   Justify your answer, mathematically !
2. Now use your bisection code on the cubic, with the following inputs:
    (a)   a, b, TOL:   1 , 2 , 1.e-7
    (b)   a, b, TOL:   1 , 2 , 1.e-14
    (c)   a, b, TOL:  -4 , 4 , 1.e-7 and 1.e-14
    (d)   a, b, TOL:   1 , 2 , 1.e-15
  For each run, record the values found for root and F, and how many bisections it took.
  Answer the questions:
    Q1: Does the root agree with your estimate from plotting ? What are the values?
    Q2: What is the effect of changing the tolerance ?
    Q3: What is the effect of changing the interval [a, b] ?
    Q4: Can you explain the failure in (d) ?


D. Prepare Lab10.m for submission:
  • In a plain text file, insert your Name, Date, Lab10
    %=====================================%
  • % B.2:  insert the values you found in part B.2
  • % B.3:  insert the values you found in part B.3
    %=====================================%
  • % C.1:   insert answer to the question in part C.1
  • % C.2:   insert answer to each of the questions Q1-Q4 in part C.2
    %=====================================%
  • In your bisect.m code comment out the line that prints the iterates   n x F(x) ERRn
      Then insert your bisect.m code (including FCN).
    %=====================================%
  • Edit the file Lab10.m to clean it up, leaving only the correct version of what's asked for in this Lab.
  • Make sure it runs on Matlab (and does NOT print the iterates!).
  • Produce PDF file on Matlab:   >> publish( 'Lab10.m' , 'pdf' )
  • Check that the PDF file contains what it should and ONLY what it should.

    Then submit Lab10.pdf on Canvas by due date.