Comparison of Some Iterative Methods of Solving Nonlinear Equations

Abstract

This work focuses on nonlinear equation (x) = 0, it is noted that no or little attention is given to nonlinear equations. The purpose of this work is to determine the best method of solving nonlinear equations. The work outlined four methods of solving nonlinear equations. Unlike linear equations, most nonlinear equations cannot be solved in finite number of steps. Iterative methods are being used to solve nonlinear equations. The cost of solving nonlinear equations problems depend on both the cost per iteration and the number of iterations required. Derivations of each of the methods were obtained. An example was illustrated to show the results of all the four methods and the results were collected, tabulated and analyzed in terms of their errors and convergence respectively. The results were also presented in form of graphs. The implication is that the higher the rate of convergence determines how fast it will get to the approximate root or solution of the equation. Thus, it was recommended that the Newton’s method is the best method of solving the nonlinear equation f(x) = 0 containing one variable because of its high rate of convergence. Keywords: