Math 3118, section 3

Spring 2001

Supplementary HW exercise for Thursday, March 22

 

1.   Let  f(x)= x3 + 3x2 - 1, where x is a real variable.  (This is the same function that was considered in the supplementary class exercise.)

For each of the intervals on which a real zero was found in the supplementary class exercise, determine whether there is a zero on the left-hand half of the interval or on the right-hand half of the interval. (Conceiveably, the zero also could occur exactly at the midpoint ... )

Sample: Suppose you have found that there was a zero between  -3  and  -2  because  f(-3) < 0  and  f(-2) > 0. 
Then calculate  f(-2.5),  and use that information (and the Intermediate Value Theorem) to determine
which of the two halves of the interval could contain the zero.

   

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